J Korean Epilepsy Soc.  2004 Dec;8(2):145-150.

The Contributing Factors to Utilize Complementary and Alternative Medicine in People with Epilepsy

• Kim IJ
• Kang JK
• Lee SA

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine which factors are influential in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization in people with epilepsy (PWE). METHOD: The 246 adult PWE (53.7% male, mean age 33.6 years) were recruited from out-patient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Data about CAM utilization in the last five years and willingness of CAM use in the future were collected via a face-to-face semi-structured interview. RESULTS: 1) The utilization rate of CAM among PWE was 31.3% for the last 5 years. On univariate analyses, it was significantly associated with several variables such as men, younger age, shorter epilepsy duration, higher educational level, higher economic status, and the belief in safety of CAM use. Multivariate analyses identified men (p=.021 OR=2.3 [95% CI=1.1 to 4.9]), higher economic status (p=.010, OR=2.5 [95% CI=1.2 to 5.0]), and the belief in safety of CAM use (p=.001, OR=1.9 [95% CI=1.3 to 2.9]). 2) Out of our participants, 30.5% reported that they were willing to utilize CAM for their epilepsy in the future. Univariate analyses showed that it was related to experience of CAM use in the past, higher economic status, and the belief in safety of CAM use. Multivariate analyses identified experience of CAM use in the past (p=.000, OR=8.4 [95% CI=4.0 to 17.7]) and the belief in safety of CAM use (p=.002, OR=1.7 [95% CI=1.2 to 2.6]). CONCLUSION: One third of PWE reported to have use the CAM in the past or to have willingness of the CAM use in the future. The important factors contributing to the CAM use were gender, economic status, experience of the CAM use in the past, and the belief in safety of the CAM use.

Keyword

Complementary and alternative medicine; Epilepsy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Complementary Therapies*
Epilepsy*
Humans
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Outpatients
Tertiary Healthcare