Trends in the Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies among US Adults with Current Asthma

Abstract

Complementary and Alternative Medicines/Therapies (CAM) are commonly used by US asthma adults, yet little is known about recent trends in their use. Our aim was to report trends in CAM use among US adults with current asthma. We conducted a serial cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the BRFSS Asthma Call-Back Survey (ACBS) collected between 2008 and 2019 (sample size per cycle, 8222 to 14,227). The exposure was calendar time, as represented by ACBS cycle, while the main outcomes were use of at least one CAM and eleven alternative therapies. We analyzed CAM use overall and by population subgroups based on age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and daytime and night-time asthma symptoms. Our findings show that there was an increase in the use of at least one CAM from 41.3% in 2008 to 47.9% in 2019 (p-trend < 0.001) and an upward trend in the use of herbs, aromatherapy, yoga, breathing exercises, homeopathy, and naturopathy (p-trend < 0.05). However, the use of vitamins, acupuncture, acupressure, reflexology, and other CAM therapies remained stable (p-trend > 0.05). These trends varied according to population characteristics (age, sex, race, income) and asthma symptoms. In conclusion, our study suggests that CAM use among US adults with current asthma is either increasing or stable, and further studies are needed to explore the factors influencing these trends.

Research on the Mechanism and Application of Acupuncture Therapy for Asthma: A Review

“…135 This indicates that acupuncture therapy as an effective measure of CAM can improve the clinical effects of anti-asthma drugs and relieve symptoms of asthma. 136 Although the efficacy of acupuncture in relieving clinical asthma symptoms and in the treatment of asthma has been validated, clinical trials are currently limited to studying symptoms and do not focus on mechanisms. Clearly, this may be a consequence of the difficulty in obtaining clinical samples, which has led to largely confining the study of mechanisms to animal models rather than humans.…”

“… 135 This indicates that acupuncture therapy as an effective measure of CAM can improve the clinical effects of anti-asthma drugs and relieve symptoms of asthma. 136 …”

Prevalence of Comorbidities among United States Adults with asthma and Their Association with Asthma Severity

“…Prevalence ratios were calculated to compare the prevalence of comorbidities between specific years (e.g., 2019 vs. 2008) and evaluate trends. Trends in comorbidities were reported as decreasing (prevalence ratio < 1, p for trend < 0.05), increasing (prevalence ratio > 1, p for trend < 0.05), or stable (p for trend ≥ 0.05) [39].…”

Competitive Analysis of the Binding Affinity of Montelukast, Zafirlukast and Gemilukast to CysLTR1, P2Y12 and PPAR-γ and their Possible Cardioprotective Effect: Using in silico Methods

“…1 Without regard to age, gender, race, geographical variation and financial condition, people are affected by asthma worldwide. 2 Common symptoms of asthma include but are not limited to breathing shortness, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and sometimes chest pain. [3][4][5] Asthma is triggered by sensitization to dust particles, allergens, or pollens.…”