Hung-Ming Wang1, Shun-Ku Lin2, Chia-Hao Yeh1, Jung-Nien Lai3. 1. Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: kareny@ms10.hinet.net.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Throughout the world, asthma can be a life-threatening disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used among Taiwanese adults to control many diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) among adults with asthma in Taiwan. METHODS: The use, frequency of service, and the type of CHP prescribed for asthma among adults with asthma were evaluated. The study group consisted of a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,000 beneficiaries from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for use of CHP. RESULTS: Overall, 20,627 asthma patients (85.7%) used TCM. Ding-chuan-tang (panting-stabilizing decoction) was the most frequently prescribed CHP, followed by xiao-qing-long-tang (minor green-blue dragon decoction) and ma-xing-gan-shi-tang (ephedra, apricot kernel, licorice, and gypsum decoction). CONCLUSION: The use of CHPs among adults with asthma appears high. Ding-chuan-tang containing ma-huang is the most commonly prescribed and consumed among adults with asthma.
BACKGROUND: Throughout the world, asthma can be a life-threatening disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used among Taiwanese adults to control many diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the use of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) among adults with asthma in Taiwan. METHODS: The use, frequency of service, and the type of CHP prescribed for asthma among adults with asthma were evaluated. The study group consisted of a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,000 beneficiaries from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for use of CHP. RESULTS: Overall, 20,627 asthmapatients (85.7%) used TCM. Ding-chuan-tang (panting-stabilizing decoction) was the most frequently prescribed CHP, followed by xiao-qing-long-tang (minor green-blue dragon decoction) and ma-xing-gan-shi-tang (ephedra, apricot kernel, licorice, and gypsum decoction). CONCLUSION: The use of CHPs among adults with asthma appears high. Ding-chuan-tang containing ma-huang is the most commonly prescribed and consumed among adults with asthma.