Brief report: Use of complementary and alternative medicine and psychological functioning in Latino children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or arthralgia

Objective: To describe the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its relationship to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and dysthymia in Latino children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or arthralgia. Methods: Parents of 36 children between the ages of 6 and 16 years with either JIA (n = 17) or arthralgia (n = 19) completed questionnaires during routine pediatric rheumatology clinic visits assessing use of CAM and psychological functioning. Results: CAM was used by the majority of children primarily to treat pain episodes. The most common modalities were prayer and massage therapy. CAM use was associated with decreased symptoms of anxiety and dysthymia in children with arthralgia, but not in children with JIA. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that CAM use is associated with improved psychological functioning in children with arthralgia. Healthcare providers are encouraged to routinely screen for CAM usage and to educate families about the potential benefits and limitations of CAM.