title: A critical review of complementary and alternative medicine use among people with arthritis: a focus upon prevalence, cost, user profiles, motivation, decision-making, perceived benefits and communication.
abstract: A critical review of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among people with arthritis was conducted focusing upon prevalence and profile of CAM users as well as their motivation, decision-making, perceived benefits and communication with healthcare providers. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature published from 2008 to 2015 was undertaken via CINAHL, Medline and AMED databases. The initial search identified 4331 articles, of which 49 articles met selection criteria. The review shows a high prevalence of CAM use (often multiple types and concurrent to conventional medical care) among those with arthritis which is not restricted to any particular geographic or social-economic status. A large proportion of arthritis sufferers using CAM consider these medicines to be somewhat or very effective but almost half do not inform their healthcare provider about their CAM use. It is suggested that rheumatologists and others providing health care for patients with arthritis should be cognizant of the high prevalence of CAM use and the challenges associated with possible concurrent use of CAM and conventional medicine among their patients.
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Center in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, City Campus, Building 10, Level 8, Room 225, 235-253 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3764-6369
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Center in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, City Campus, Building 10, Level 8, Room 225, 235-253 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sibbritt
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Center in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, City Campus, Building 10, Level 8, Room 225, 235-253 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia. Jon.Adams@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003657:Decision Making; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations
keywords: Alternative therapies; Arthritis; Complementary and alternative medicine; Complementary therapies; Osteoarthritis; Rheumatic arthritis