Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use in Glaucoma
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use in Glaucoma
There were 251 respondents out of an estimated total population of 1313 Canadian ophthalmologists, giving a response rate of approximately 20%. The rate of English-speaking compared with French-speaking Ophthalmologists in the study is representative of the language breakdown of Canadian Ophthalmologists as a whole. Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the survey respondents.
Statistical analysis found several significant relationships between respondent demographics and their attitudes toward CAM use by their glaucoma patients (Table 2). It was statistically significant that specialists were more likely to agree that CAM has a role as opposed to the opinion of comprehensive ophthalmologists (P<0.05). Those in practice for <20 years are more likely to ask their patients if they use CAM (P<0.05). Twenty-three percent had been asking about CAM for <5 years, whereas 18% have had been asking for 5 to 10 years.
Ophthalmologists in practice for <20 years were more likely to recommend CAM (P<0.01). There were various answers when asked what prompted the ophthalmologist to recommend CAM: 22% recommend for progressive glaucoma, 4% for early glaucoma, 5% for advanced glaucoma, and 9% for other reasons (Fig. 1), however, no "other reasons" were offered when given the option by the survey respondents. The respondents were presented with a list of possible CAM treatments based upon common alternatives discussed in the literature and asked which they recommend. The most common treatment recommended was exercise (28%), followed by Ginkgo biloba (21%), antioxidant vitamins (16%), and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (12%). Other recommendations included a low fat and salt diet, marijuana, and meditation (Table 3).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
What patient characteristics lead you to recommend alternative treatments?
It was found that younger ophthalmologists (those younger than 50 y, P<0.02) and those in practice for <20 years (P<0.05) are less likely to discourage the use of CAM. With regard to the possibility that CAM may affect patient compliance with traditional glaucoma therapy, the location of their practice was correlated significantly with urban ophthalmologists (P<0.01) and academics (P<0.05) being more likely to believe that CAM does not affect compliance. The terms "urban" and "rural" were not defined specifically; respondents chose whichever term they thought best described their practice location. Those practicing for <20 years are less likely to believe that morbidity results from CAM (P<0.05).
Results
There were 251 respondents out of an estimated total population of 1313 Canadian ophthalmologists, giving a response rate of approximately 20%. The rate of English-speaking compared with French-speaking Ophthalmologists in the study is representative of the language breakdown of Canadian Ophthalmologists as a whole. Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the survey respondents.
Statistical analysis found several significant relationships between respondent demographics and their attitudes toward CAM use by their glaucoma patients (Table 2). It was statistically significant that specialists were more likely to agree that CAM has a role as opposed to the opinion of comprehensive ophthalmologists (P<0.05). Those in practice for <20 years are more likely to ask their patients if they use CAM (P<0.05). Twenty-three percent had been asking about CAM for <5 years, whereas 18% have had been asking for 5 to 10 years.
Ophthalmologists in practice for <20 years were more likely to recommend CAM (P<0.01). There were various answers when asked what prompted the ophthalmologist to recommend CAM: 22% recommend for progressive glaucoma, 4% for early glaucoma, 5% for advanced glaucoma, and 9% for other reasons (Fig. 1), however, no "other reasons" were offered when given the option by the survey respondents. The respondents were presented with a list of possible CAM treatments based upon common alternatives discussed in the literature and asked which they recommend. The most common treatment recommended was exercise (28%), followed by Ginkgo biloba (21%), antioxidant vitamins (16%), and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (12%). Other recommendations included a low fat and salt diet, marijuana, and meditation (Table 3).
(Enlarge Image)
Figure 1.
What patient characteristics lead you to recommend alternative treatments?
It was found that younger ophthalmologists (those younger than 50 y, P<0.02) and those in practice for <20 years (P<0.05) are less likely to discourage the use of CAM. With regard to the possibility that CAM may affect patient compliance with traditional glaucoma therapy, the location of their practice was correlated significantly with urban ophthalmologists (P<0.01) and academics (P<0.05) being more likely to believe that CAM does not affect compliance. The terms "urban" and "rural" were not defined specifically; respondents chose whichever term they thought best described their practice location. Those practicing for <20 years are less likely to believe that morbidity results from CAM (P<0.05).
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