Aim: The aim of this study was to examine sex differences in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among older adults.
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of data from two cohort studies of community-dwelling women (n = 5399) and men (n = 3188) aged 82–87 and 77–91 years, respectively. The main outcome measure was self-report of consultations with an alternative health practitioner.
Results: Men were 1.79 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46, 2.20) times more likely to use CAM than women. People born in a non-English speaking country were 1.49 times (95% CI: 0.94, 2.35) more likely to use CAM. Self-reported general health (P = 0.01) and bodily pain (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with CAM use.
Conclusion: In contrast to previous research, CAM use is more prevalent among older men than older women in our sample. Both men and women are using CAM to maintain good health and for the treatment of ongoing conditions.