Cute little bird USE OF "NON-TRADITIONAL" TREATMENTS BY PERSONS WITH HIV-INFECTION WHO ALSO RECEIVE "TRADITIONAL" CARE FROM PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
by Lubeck, D., O'Driscoll PT*, Morfeld DH*, Williams CA

[Th.D.5119] USE OF "NON-TRADITIONAL" TREATMENTS BY PERSONS WITH HIV-INFECTION WHO ALSO RECEIVE "TRADITIONAL" CARE FROM PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS

Lubeck, D., O'Driscoll PT*, Morfeld DH*, Williams CA*. Stanford University; **Technology Assessment Group, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Issue: Previous studies have described the use of "non-traditional" treatments cross-sectionally in small samples of HIV-positive (HIV+) persons. This study describes the frequency of use of various "non-traditional" treatments reported over a five year period by a cohort of HIV+ participants in ATHOS (AIDS Time-Oriented Health Outcome Study) at Stanford University.

Methods: HIV+ ATHOS participants, recruited through their physicians located in several California clinics and private practices, complete AIDS-Health Assessment Questionnaires wherein they report on the frequency and type of "non-traditional" treatments at three-month intervals. Mean follow up for the patients is 20.6 months and ranges from a minimum of three months to a maximum of 60 months.

Results: From October 1989 through March 1995, 530 (36.1%) of the 1,467 HIV+ ATHOS participants ever reported using "non-traditional" treatments. Usage included: herbs, 43.8%; acupuncture, 40.8%; chiropractic, 40.2%; non-sanctioned drugs (e.g. NAC, DNCB, etc.), 19.1%; and other types of treatments (e.g. vitamins, bodywork, etc.), 38.7%. 41.7% used multiple types of treatments. Average months of use were: herbs, 8.3 (SE=0.54); acupuncture, 10.0 (SE=0.66); chiropractic, 8.3 (SE=0.65); non-sanctioned drugs, 7.7 (SE=0.67); and other treatments, 6.1 (SE=0.43). User (and ATHOS) demographics: 97.9% male; 86.0% White; 77.3% gay/bisexual; 51.9% have finished college; and mean age=40.2 years (SE=0.17).

Discussion: Because "traditional" medicine offers no cure for HIV and many HIV+ persons learn of their antibody status years before the terminal stages of AIDS, there are strong incentives for patients to experiment with alternative treatments. The costs, effectiveness, toxicities, and outcomes associated with their use must be studied in all HIV+ populations.


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