Use of complementary and alternative medicines in people with depression and central obesity: Findings from a Tai Chi and Qigong study

Depression is a global and growing health issue. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use is common among people with depression. We examined the baseline use of CAM (products, not services) in centrally obese adults with depression, a specific and increasingly important population who were part of a trial of Tai Chi and Qigong for depression.

Self-reported use of CAM products (four major groups: vitamins, herbal medicines, mineral supplements and purified chemicals as nutritional supplements) together with demographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics were collected using validated questions within a written survey. We used descriptive statistics to understand patterns of use.

Two hundred and sixty patients participated in the assessment. Half of the patients stated they were using CAM, on average reporting 2.3 CAM per patient. Women were more likely than men, and older people (>60 years) more likely than younger people (<40 years) to use any CAM products. Patients reported using CAM mostly for general health and alleviating aches and pains. CAM use was not associated with health state, use of a prescription antidepressant medicine, nor (self-reported) comorbidities such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension or alcohol or tobacco use.

CAM products are commonly used in Australians with moderate depression, particularly in female or older patients. The range and number of CAM in this group with common comorbidity may present additional unknown risks due to potential interactions with other prescribed medications with a myriad of biological and pharmacological effects. The importance of establishing whether depressed patients are taking CAM, the particular CAM and whether the CAM interacts with each other, other drugs used for depression or the biological process of the depression itself are factors to be considered at each assessment.