Abstract
The use of herbal products and other "natural" supplements among the US population is on the rise. Limited data suggest that such use among the elderly may correlate with higher education levels as well as psychiatric symptoms. The authors examined herbal/supplement use among elderly veterans with depression and/or dementia (n = 82) and their primarily elderly caregivers (n = 56). Eighteen percent of subjects and 16% of caregivers used herbals/supplements. Seventy-five percent of subjects who used these products during the study period were also taking potentially interacting medications. Given the prior association of herbal/supplement use with higher education levels, a surprising number of elderly veterans with depression and/or dementia (the majority of whom had high school or less education) used these products. As evidenced by missing documentation in many physician notes, subjects may not have discussed their usage of herbals/supplements with their physicians. In light of the possibility of potentially harmful drug interactions, physicians who treat elderly patients should regularly inquire about the use of these products.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25-31 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2004 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Alternative medicine
- Dementia
- Depression
- Elderly
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Herbal Products and Other Supplements : Use by Elderly Veterans with Depression and Dementia and Their Caregivers. / Kales, Helen C.; Blow, Frederic C.; Welsh, Deborah E.; Mellow, Alan M.
In: Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Vol. 17, No. 1, 01.03.2004, p. 25-31.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Herbal Products and Other Supplements
T2 - Use by Elderly Veterans with Depression and Dementia and Their Caregivers
AU - Kales, Helen C.
AU - Blow, Frederic C.
AU - Welsh, Deborah E.
AU - Mellow, Alan M.
PY - 2004/3/1
Y1 - 2004/3/1
N2 - The use of herbal products and other "natural" supplements among the US population is on the rise. Limited data suggest that such use among the elderly may correlate with higher education levels as well as psychiatric symptoms. The authors examined herbal/supplement use among elderly veterans with depression and/or dementia (n = 82) and their primarily elderly caregivers (n = 56). Eighteen percent of subjects and 16% of caregivers used herbals/supplements. Seventy-five percent of subjects who used these products during the study period were also taking potentially interacting medications. Given the prior association of herbal/supplement use with higher education levels, a surprising number of elderly veterans with depression and/or dementia (the majority of whom had high school or less education) used these products. As evidenced by missing documentation in many physician notes, subjects may not have discussed their usage of herbals/supplements with their physicians. In light of the possibility of potentially harmful drug interactions, physicians who treat elderly patients should regularly inquire about the use of these products.
AB - The use of herbal products and other "natural" supplements among the US population is on the rise. Limited data suggest that such use among the elderly may correlate with higher education levels as well as psychiatric symptoms. The authors examined herbal/supplement use among elderly veterans with depression and/or dementia (n = 82) and their primarily elderly caregivers (n = 56). Eighteen percent of subjects and 16% of caregivers used herbals/supplements. Seventy-five percent of subjects who used these products during the study period were also taking potentially interacting medications. Given the prior association of herbal/supplement use with higher education levels, a surprising number of elderly veterans with depression and/or dementia (the majority of whom had high school or less education) used these products. As evidenced by missing documentation in many physician notes, subjects may not have discussed their usage of herbals/supplements with their physicians. In light of the possibility of potentially harmful drug interactions, physicians who treat elderly patients should regularly inquire about the use of these products.
KW - Alternative medicine
KW - Dementia
KW - Depression
KW - Elderly
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=1542320577&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0891988703261998
DO - 10.1177/0891988703261998
M3 - Article
C2 - 15018694
AN - SCOPUS:1542320577
VL - 17
SP - 25
EP - 31
JO - Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
JF - Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
SN - 0891-9887
IS - 1
ER -