Australians with osteoarthritis; the use of and beliefs about complementary and alternative medicines

•We investigated complementary medicine use by a cohort of osteoarthritis patients.•Sixty-nine percent of respondents reported using complementary medicine.•Patients with better health and knowledge of condition were more likely to use.•Use associated with an aversion to the side effects of conventional medicine.•Users need to be more fully informed about the evidence of efficacy.

ObjectivesTo investigate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use amongst a cohort of osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers and to explore reasons for use.MethodsA self-administered questionnaire was used to assess CAM use and its relationship with self-rated health status, patient knowledge of OA and attitudes towards OA management.ResultsSixty-nine percent of respondents (95% CI, 64%–73%) reported that they had tried CAM, with little difference between age groups and genders. Patients who had a better knowledge of their condition and excellent self-rated health were more likely to use CAM. An aversion to the side effects of conventional medicine, failure to engage in exercise, and a belief in the efficacy of CAM were the principal factors underlying use.ConclusionAs CAM use is a key component of the self-management strategies for a substantial proportion of Australians with OA, users need to be more fully informed about evidence of efficacy.