For Release April 29, 2001
COLUMBUS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RELEASES FINDINGS ON USE
OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN HIV-
INFECTED CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Pediatric and Adult HIV-Infected Patients Use CAM Very
Often Without Physician Knowledge
BALTIMORE, APRIL 29, 2001 --- Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used in disease management, especially among cancer patients. A new study on the use of CAM in HIV-infected children and adults reveals that CAM use is more prevalent among HIV-infected individuals than the general population, even though physicians seldom ask patients about the use of CAM and patients rarely disclose this information. While some forms of CAM can be beneficial for patients, others, such as St. John's Wort, can have significant drug interactions with the medications prescribed by the physician. Researcher Katalin I. Koranyi, M.D., of Columbus Children's Hospital, presented the findings Sunday, April 29 at the 2001 Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting.
"This study suggests that physicians should ask parents of HIV-infected children about the kinds of CAM they are giving their children," explained Dr. Koranyi. "Patients and parents are not freely divulging this information. It is important that CAM be noted on the patient's chart to prevent any drug interactions with prescribed medications or interference with conventional medicine."The data for the study was collected over a two-month period using scripted, face-to-face interviews in the Immunodeficiency Clinic at Columbus Children's Hospital. The interviews were administered to willing patients during regularly scheduled clinic visits.
Of the 53 patients selected to participate in the interviews, 50 completed the questions. The research showed that 82 percent of the patients acknowledged using some form of CAM, and eight of the 10 pediatric patients under 18 years of age reported use as well, with multiple vitamins and dietary supplements being the most frequently used forms of CAM.
Vitamins, herbs and nutritional supplements were taken by 71 percent, 18 percent and 38 percent of patients, respectively. Marijuana use for medicinal purposes was reported by 18 percent of patients, none of them below 18 years of age. Information regarding the use of CAM was noted in the patients' charts for 13 of the patients taking vitamins and for five of the patients taking supplements.
"This study is important because it is one of only a few that looks at the use of CAM among children with HIV, and it has allowed us to expand our previous knowledge and apply it to a younger age group," Dr. Koranyi added.
Columbus Children's Hospital ranks among the top 10 in NIH research awards and grants to freestanding children's hospitals in the country. With nearly 500,000 patient visits each year, Children's Hospital is a 107-year-old pediatric healthcare network treating newborns through age 21. In 2000, the Children's Research Institute conducted more than 90 research projects. Pediatric Clinical Trials International (PCTI), a site management organization affiliated with the hospital, also coordinated 43 clinical trials. In addition to having one of the largest ambulatory programs in the country, Children's offers specialty programs and services, including more than 18 support groups. Each year, more than 75,000 consumers receive health and wellness education and 2,500 students from 50 institutions and 500 residents receive training at Children's. More information on Children's Hospital of Columbus is available by calling (614) 722-KIDS (5437) or through the hospital's Web site at http://www.childrenscolumbus.org.
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