PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - KARINE TOUPIN-APRIL
AU  - DEBBIE EHRMANN FELDMAN
AU  - MARIA VICTORIA ZUNZUNEGUI
AU  - MARTIN DESCARREAUX
AU  - PETER MALLESON
AU  - CIARÁN M. DUFFY
TI  - Is Complementary and Alternative Healthcare Use Associated with Better Outcomes in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?
AID  - 10.3899/jrheum.081295
DP  - 2009 Oct 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 2302--2307
VI  - 36
IP  - 10
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/10/2302.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/36/10/2302.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2009 Oct 01; 36
AB  - Objective. The objectives of this study were (1) to examine the association between the use of complementary and alternative healthcare (CAHC) and subsequent health outcomes; and (2) to explore the association between CAHC use and adherence to conventional treatments in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods. A cohort of children with JIA (n = 182, mean age 10 yrs) who attended outpatient clinics were followed for one year. We evaluated the use of CAHC, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), global health, physical functioning, pain, and disease severity at 3-month intervals. We also evaluated perceived adherence to treatments. General estimating equations were performed to determine the association between use of CAHC and subsequent outcomes while controlling for possible confounders. Results. CAHC was used by 36.4% of participants over the 12-month period. Use of CAHC was associated with subsequent lower global health and physical functioning despite higher adherence to prescribed medications as assessed by the rheumatologist (p < 0.05). Use of CAHC was not associated with subsequent improved HRQOL or decreased pain or disease severity. Conclusion. Children with JIA who use CAHC do not have improved outcomes, at least over the relatively short term. Nevertheless, they seem to be more adherent to conventional treatment according to the rheumatologist.