Title
Pain Control in Sickle Cell Disease Patients: Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
Objective. To examine the factors associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as reported by patients attending an adult sickle cell clinic at a tertiary institution. Design. Cross-sectional survey. Setting. This study was conducted in a university tertiary care adult sickle cell clinic. Subjects. Adult sickle cell patients. Method. Following Institutional Review Board approval, a questionnaire was administered to patients in a sickle cell clinic to examine their use of CAM for managing pain at home and while admitted to the hospital. Results. Of the 227 respondents who completed the questionnaire, 92% experienced pain lasting from 6 months to more than 2 years. Two hundred and eight (91.6%) indicated that they have used CAM within the last 6 months to control pain. The frequency of CAMs use was higher among females, singles, those with more education, and higher household income. Conclusions. This study shows that a substantial majority of sickle cell patients live with pain on a regular basis and that there is substantial CAM use in the adult Sickle cell disease population. Being female and having a high school or higher education were significantly correlated with the use of CAM in sickle cell patients. A variety of CAM therapies are used, with the most common being prayer.
Journal Title
Pain Medicine
Volume
15
Issue
2
First Page
241
Last Page
246
DOI
10.1111/pme.12292
First Department
Public Health, Nutrition and Wellness
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Wendy E. Dr and Eriator, Ike, "Pain Control in Sickle Cell Disease Patients: Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine" (2016). Faculty Publications. 657.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/657