The use of complementary and alternative medicine in an Irish cohort of people with an iatrogenic hepatitis C infection: results from a health and lifestyle survey
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language
A cohort of people with iatrogenic HCV infection, current or resolved, in Ireland have access to primary and secondary health care services, including specified complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services, free of charge. Information about their pattern of CAM usage and its association with various demographic and lifestyle factors, and current HCV status, was sought as part of a health and lifestyle survey, in order to provide information for health service planning. The survey was carried out by self-administered postal questionnaire. The level of CAM usage was compared to an age- and sex-matched sample of the general population. The response was 48% (720/1485). Compared to the general population, the HCV population was significantly more likely to have attended a CAM practitioner (50.1% vs 23.9%, OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.7-3.9). Within the HCV population, multivariate analysis showed that females (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.9-4.9), those who reported fibromyalgia (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.8-3.9) and those who reported anxiety (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.0-2.0) were significantly more likely to have used CAM, and smokers significantly less likely (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-0.8). CAM attendance did not vary by current HCV status. Reflexology, acupuncture and massage were the most commonly used forms of CAM. This study demonstrates that CAM services are used by a high proportion of people with iatrogenic chronic HCV. A more holistic approach to health care, using a biopsychosocial model framework, may better meet the physical and psychological health needs of this group.
Key Findings: what this cross-sectional study found
- ✓People with iatrogenic hepatitis C infection were significantly more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine compared to the general population (50.1% vs 23.9%, with an odds ratio of 3.2).
- ✓Within the hepatitis C population, women were substantially more likely to use CAM services than men (odds ratio 3.1).
- ✓Individuals with hepatitis C who reported fibromyalgia were significantly more likely to use CAM practitioners (odds ratio 2.7).
What This Means for You
If you have hepatitis C, this research shows that many people like you use reflexology and similar therapies to help manage their health, though this study doesn't prove reflexology itself is effective for hepatitis C.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology is among the most commonly sought complementary therapies for people with chronic hepatitis C, particularly those with fibromyalgia or anxiety, indicating potential demand for these services in your practice.
Study Design: how this cross-sectional study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
If you have hepatitis C, this research shows that many people like you use reflexology and similar therapies to help manage their health, though this study doesn't prove reflexology itself is effective for hepatitis C.
What did this study find?
People with iatrogenic hepatitis C infection were significantly more likely to use complementary and alternative medicine compared to the general population (50.1% vs 23.9%, with an odds ratio of 3.2). Within the hepatitis C population, women were substantially more likely to use CAM services than men (odds ratio 3.1). Individuals with hepatitis C who reported fibromyalgia were significantly more likely to use CAM practitioners (odds ratio 2.7).
How strong is this evidence?
This is a cross-sectional study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 720 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in medicine, a Q2 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
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