Univariate associations of continuous variables with the purchase of complementary medicines in the entire osteoarthritis cohort
| Continuous variables | Bought complementary medicines | Did not buy complementary medicines | t Value | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Values are mean (SD). | ||||
| *p<0.05. | ||||
| SF-36, short form 36 item health questionnaire; WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index. | ||||
| Age (years) | 66.4 (9.2) | 67.4 (9.1) | 1.008 | 0.31 |
| Disease duration (years) | 14.4 (11.7) | 16.0 (11.4) | 1.261 | 0.21 |
| WOMAC pain | 5.7 (3.3) | 4.6 (3.6) | −2.986 | 0.003* |
| WOMAC stiffness | 3.2 (1.5) | 2.7 (1.6) | −2.801 | 0.005* |
| WOMAC function | 21.8 (12.2) | 18.7 (13.3) | −2.206 | 0.028* |
| SF-36 mental component summary | 46.1 (5.3) | 45.8 (5.0) | −0.520 | 0.60 |
| SF-36 physical component summary | 36.8 (9.3) | 39.6 (9.0) | 2.427 | 0.016* |
| SF-36 scale scores | ||||
| Mental health 0–100 | 73.3 (14.5) | 76.8 (15.5) | 2.099 | 0.037* |
| Role emotional | 66.8 (34.2) | 71.4 (33.7) | 1.203 | 0.23 |
| General health | 65.6 (16.7) | 67.5 (18.0) | 0.987 | 0.33 |
| Vitality | 56.3 (14.6) | 60.0 (18.7) | 1.936 | 0.054 |
| Social function | 68.8 (34.2) | 71.4 (33.7) | 1.717 | 0.087 |
| Physical function | 47.7 (20.5) | 53.5 (24.7) | 2.251 | 0.025* |
| Role physical | 39.3 (50.1) | 50.3 (37.9) | 2.294 | 0.022* |
| Bodily pain | 52.5 (20.0) | 63.3 (22.5) | 4.496 | 0.001* |
| Cost of concomitant arthritis medicines (annual, both prescription and non-prescription) | $98.27 ($113.35) | $64.00 ($142.33) | −2.458 | 0.014* |