Prevalence and patterns of alternative medication use in a university hospital outpatient clinic serving rheumatology and geriatric patients

A random sample of 176 patients seen at least once during 1997 in a Univers ity hospital outpatient clinic serving rheumatology and geriatric patients were surveyed in a telephone interview to determine the prevalence of, and reasons for taking, alternative medications. interviews were conducted from November 1997-March 1998. The survey elicited information about patients' ability to provide self-care, demographics, work status, satisfaction with current disease management, types of alternative medications taken, sources of information about the products, where they obtained the products, and r easons for taking the products. Patients also were questioned as to their k nowledge of safety of these products. Statistical comparisons were determin ed between patients who used alternative agents and those who did not. Prev alence of use was 66%. Most patients thought that the agents were safe and took them because they believed they have "added benefits.".