Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in paediatric rheumatology: a European perspective

CER4869
2012 Vol.30, N°1
PI 0132, PF 0136
Paediatric Rheumatology

Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)

PMID: 22325053 [PubMed]

Received: 29/06/2011
Accepted : 25/10/2011
In Press: 07/03/2012
Published: 07/03/2012

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To analyse the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in children with rheumatic diseases, treated at a paediatric rheumatology centre in Italy.
METHODS:
Parents of children with different kinds of chronic rheumatic diseases anonymously completed a questionnaire about their children`s past or current use of CAM. Two groups of patients were analysed: Group A consisted of children who were still attending the centre; Group B consisted of children who had not attended the clinic for more than one year.
RESULTS:
150 completed surveys were analysed: 22 paediatric patients (14.7%), 10/100 in group A and 12/50 in group B, used CAM to treat their diseases. The therapies used the most were homeopathy, herbal remedies, vitamins and minerals. We observed a significantly greater use of CAM among patients who had not attended the clinic for more than one year (24%) as compared to those who were regularly checked (10%) (p=0.02). Parents` use of CAM was significantly related to its use for their children (p=0.001). A poor outcome, probably related to the exclusive use of alternative treatments, was observed in three out of six patients who had completely stopped using traditional immunosuppressive drugs.
CONCLUSIONS:
Physicians should be aware of the use of CAM particularly in patients who skip their regular check-ups. The use of CAM to treat childhood rheumatic conditions in Italy seems to be less frequent than in North America.