• Wendy E Thompson and Ike Eriator.
• School of Social Work, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA.
• Pain Med. 2014 Feb 1;15(2):241-6.

ObjectiveTo 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.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingThis study was conducted in a university tertiary care adult sickle cell clinic.SubjectsAdult sickle cell patients.MethodFollowing 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.ResultsOf 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.ConclusionsThis 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.Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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