Journal article
Treatment delay associated with alternative medicine use among veterans with head and neck cancer
Head & neck, Vol.28(10), pp.926-931
10/2006
DOI: 10.1002/hed.20420
PMID: 16755583
Abstract
Background.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing in the United States. This study investigates whether the use of alternative medicine is associated with a delay of treatment in head and neck cancer.
Methods.
This study used the records obtained from a large trial involving ambulatory care US veterans. Subjects completed a CAM utilization questionnaire. The primary outcome variable was the time duration from cancer diagnosis to the time of cancer treatment.
Results.
Of veterans with head and neck cancer, 51% reported using some form of CAM, whereas 23% reported using a therapy classified as alternative medicine. Patients who used alternative medicine significantly delayed cancer treatment by 22 days compared with those who did not use alternative medicine (p = .05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0–44 days).
Conclusions.
CAM use is common in veterans with head and neck cancer. Use of alternative medicine was associated with a significant delay in cancer treatment.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Treatment delay associated with alternative medicine use among veterans with head and neck cancer
- Creators
- Greg E. Davis - VA Puget Sound Health Care SystemChris L. Bryson - VA Puget Sound Health Care SystemBevan Yueh - Health Services Research & DevelopmentMary B. McDonell - VA Puget Sound Health Care SystemMark A. Micek - VA Puget Sound Health Care SystemStephan D. Fihn - University of Washington
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Head & neck, Vol.28(10), pp.926-931
- DOI
- 10.1002/hed.20420
- PMID
- 16755583
- NLM abbreviation
- Head Neck
- ISSN
- 1043-3074
- eISSN
- 1097-0347
- Publisher
- Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2006
- Academic Unit
- Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984966755002771
Metrics
4 Record Views