Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Chronically Ill Adolescents from 2 German Birth Cohorts

Abstract

Background: Pediatric use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular in Europe, and utilization may be even more prevalent in chronically ill children/adolescents. This study's aim is to assess CAM use among adolescents with chronic conditions. Methods: Data on drug utilization (past 4 weeks) and consultation with CAM providers (past year) were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 4,677 adolescents from the German GINIplus/LISAplus birth cohorts. All reported drugs were classified into therapeutic categories (conventional drugs, homeopathy, herbal drugs, etc.). Additionally, participants were asked to list any chronic diseases (that were parent-reported, physician-verified diagnoses such as allergies, atopic dermatitis, asthma, or other chronic diseases) that they had had over the previous 5 years. Results: Compared with the total sample, drug utilization in general (60.1% vs. 41.1%), homeopathy use (11.1% vs. 8.1%), and consultation with CAM providers (16.9% vs. 10.9%) was significantly more prevalent among chronically ill adolescents. However, chronically ill adolescents used relatively (proportion of the defined therapeutic category among all drugs used) more conventional drugs than healthy adolescents. Conclusion: Compared with healthy adolescents, CAM use is more prevalent among adolescents with chronic conditions. Nevertheless, CAM may predominantly be used as a complementary treatment option rather than substituting conventional drugs.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Outpatients with Atopic Dermatitis from a Dermatological University Department

“…The variability in treatment procedures together with the chronicity of the disease might stimulate an interest in complementary or alternative medications and treatments (CAM) [2]. Although CAM is not supported by scientific evidence [3, 4], it has been in great demand for decades [5] and shown to be more frequently used in chronic patients [6]. CAM use in dermatology is believed to be most frequent among AD patients but other diseases, including psoriasis and acne, are also associated with prevalent CAM use [7, 8].…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practices: Elucidating the Impact on Healthcare Systems, Mechanisms, and Paediatric Applications.

“…Currently, studies have shown that vulnerable children, such as those with chronic, recurrent or incurable conditions that are difficult to manage or children taking prescription medication [31], are more likely to seek CAM alternatives than others [32][33][34]. Rates of children with such conditions are estimated to be greater than 50% of the total of children using CAM, with oncology patients leading the list with 63% [35,36].…”

The Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medications Use Among Dermatology Patients in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

“… 1 Even though CAM often lacks scientific evidence to support it, 2 , 3 it has been used for decades 4 and has been demonstrated to be used more often by patients with chronic conditions. 5 Throughout the previous few decades, CAM has attained more attention and has been more frequently used by patients worldwide. 6 , 7 The rate of alternative medicine utilization differs across regions and ranges from 5 to 74.8% in the overall population.…”