Predictive factors of complementary and alternative medicine use for patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Korea.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess characteristics and predictive factors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Korea.

DESIGN

Prospective, questionnaire based study for patients with IBD in Korea.

SETTING

Six university hospitals and one primary IBD clinic.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Overall characteristics and predictors of CAM use were compared between CAM users and non-users.

RESULTS

During the study period, 366 patients with IBD (ulcerative colitis=228, Crohn's disease=138) completed the full questionnaire; 29.5% (n=108) reported CAM use and 70.5% (n=258) reported no CAM use after diagnosis of IBD. In total, 64.0% were male, the mean patient age was 42.3±15.5 years, and the mean duration of IBD was 5.5±5.8 years. Using logistic regression analysis, university education (p=0.040), higher income levels (p=0.009), and longer duration of IBD (p=0.003) were found to be independent predictors of CAM use. Among CAM users, 65% of CAM was attained within 2 years of IBD diagnosis and only 28.7% discussed CAM use with their physician. Furthermore, 13.9% of CAM users discontinued conventional IBD therapy while using CAM.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall use of CAM in Korea was comparable with those in the West. Physicians should be aware of the high prevalence of CAM use by patients with IBD, especially among those with higher education levels, higher income levels, and longer IBD duration. Furthermore, physicians should ask about CAM use, and help their IBD patients make a more informed choice about CAM use.