P04.17
Purpose: Estimated 12-month prevalence rates of neck pain among adults range from 30% to 50%. Our objective was to describe correlates of neck pain, predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in adults with and without neck pain, and differences in reasons for CAM use among adults with and without neck pain.
Methods: We compared 23,393 adults with and without self-reported neck pain using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. Data on CAM use, socio-demographics, health status and healthcare factors were extracted from the Adult Complementary and Alternative Medicine supplement, the Sample Adult core, and the Person core components.
Results: 3105 adults (13.3%), representing an estimated 29 million U.S. adults, reported neck pain within the 3 months prior to the survey. Compared to adults without neck pain, those with neck pain were significantly more likely to be older, non-Hispanic white, and women. Those with neck pain were also more likely to be in fair or poor health, have a history of co-morbidities, be a current smoker, and have functional limitations. Past year visits to the emergency room and delayed medical care due to cost were also associated with having neck pain. CAM use was more common among adults with neck pain compared to adults without neck pain (56.3% vs. 32.7%, p<0.01). The most common modalities were herbal supplements, deep breathing exercises, and chiropractic. Acupuncture was least commonly used. Compared to CAM users without neck pain, those with neck pain were more likely to use CAM because conventional treatment was thought to be too expensive or ineffective and because of recommendations from providers or family/friends.
Conclusion: Adults with neck pain use CAM more often than those without. Given the prevalence of adults with neck pain who use CAM, there is a great need to understand the effectiveness of CAM on neck pain.
Contact: Alexandra M. Chang, alexandra.chang@ucsf.edu
