Prevalence of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Adults with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Limited data are available about the extent of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in people with cystic fibrosis (CF).Aim: To determine the extent of use of CAM therapies and CAM therapists in an adult population with CF. Expenditure on CAM and patient perceptions about CAM were also assessed.Method: An interview‐based questionnaire was developed, tested and administered by pharmacists.Results: 83 adult CF patients (42 females, age 16‐44 years) were surveyed. 61% had visited a CAM practitioner at some time and 26% were currently visiting at least one practitioner (most commonly masseuses and naturopaths). 70% of patients reported they had taken a CAM in the past and 45% were currently taking CAM therapies (mean 3.5, range 1‐19). The proportion of females who had consulted a CAM therapist (70% vs 48%) and taken CAM (84% vs 53%) was significantly greater than males. 39% of patients had informed their doctors of their use of CAM. 10% of patients spent more on CAM than on conventional therapy and 10% also spent over $500 annually in consultations with CAM therapists.Conclusion: The use of CAM therapists and therapies in young adults with CF was considerable, but comparable to studies in the general population. While the majority believed that conventional medicine was more beneficial than CAM therapy, some spent considerable amounts of money on CAM and many believed that such therapies had a place in therapy.