Table 4

Characteristics of visits to naturopathic physicians in Connecticut (1999) and Washington (1998)

Connecticut (n = 631 visits) %

Washington (n = 1186 visits) %

Gender

female

76

74

Age

Median

43 years

42 years

0–15 years

12.8

10.9

16–34 years

16.4

20.9

35–64 years

63.0

58.5

65 years+

7.8

9.7

Race

White

97

96

Smoking status:

non-smokers

95

94

Type of major problem^a

Acute problem

22

23

Chronic problem, routine

53

56

Chronic problem, flare up

20

18

Pre/post-surgery/injury

1

1

Non-illness care

5

6

Primary reason for visit^b

Fatigue

6.1

6.0

Headache

4.4

3.8

Back symptoms

4.4

6.5

Skin rashes

4.2

2.5

Menopausal symptoms

3.7

2.0

Bowel function changes

3.5

2.0

Anxiety or Depression

3.2

5.1

Allergies to food, milk

3.0

3.6

Sinus symptoms

2.8

<2

Upper respiratory symptoms

2.6

<2

Cough

2.4

<2

Neck symptoms

2.3

3.3

Infectious disease

2.2

<2

Ear infection symptoms

2.2

<2

Abdominal pain/cramps

2.2

2.7

Menstrual problems

<2

2.1

Diagnosis by naturopathic physician^c

Menopausal disorders

4.9

3.1

Allergies

4.6

6.3

Back conditions

3.5

5.8

Fibromyalgia

3.0

2.0

Sinusitis

2.9

<2

Fatigue

2.4

2.7

Headache

2.2

3.1

Upper respiratory infections

2.0

<2

Neck conditions

<2

3.3

Depression

<2

2.6

Asthma

<2

2.2

Anxiety

<2

2.1

Dermatitis

<2

2.0

New patients

22

22

Payment

Private insurance

60

43

Worker's compensation

0

3

Personal injury

0

3

Self-pay

37

48

Other

3

3

^a Because 3% to 4% indicated multiple reasons, total percentages exceed 100%

^b Patient report; only reporting reasons totaling 2% or more of visits

^c Based on ICD 9 criteria; only reporting diagnoses totaling 2% or more of visits

Boon et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2004 4:14   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-4-14