Use of Chinese Medicine among Prostate Cancer Patients under National Health Insurance in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Yi-Hsien Lin, 林宜賢
• Other Authors: Jen-Hwey Chiu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41405963896237318951

博士 === 國立陽明大學 === 傳統醫藥研究所 === 99 === Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in Western countries. In Taiwan, it is the 5th common cancer in men and increasing incidence. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular among cancer patients. Yet little information exists about CAM use among prostate cancer patients in Taiwan. Chinese medicine is the most important types of CAM in Taiwan. This study aimed to explore CM use among prostate cancer patients in Taiwan. A retrospective study using National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) was conducted. Claims of outpatient services of prostate cancer patients were retrieved to explore the trends of CM use. Coprescription of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and Western medications was examined. Among 78323 prostate cancer patients identified during 1996-2008, there were 30383 (38.8%) CM users and 327063 CM outpatient visits. The prevalence of CM use in each cross-sectional year increased slightly from 24.9% to 25.6%. Most CM services were provided by private clinics (68.1%-79.2%). The most frequently used CM therapies were CHM (72.8%-78.8%), followed by acupuncture/traumatology manipulative therapies (28.1-36.8%). Total CM cost increased from $122247 to $825454. The average cost per CM visit increased from $14.0 to $19.6. The annual cost per CM user increased from $88.0 to $134.4. Copayment accounted for 6.6%-11.7% of the total CM cost. In the ambulatory service file of the year 2007 from LHID2000, 972 prostate cancer patients were identified. Among them, there were 218 (22.4%) CHM users, with 7070 CHM prescriptions. Among CHM users, 200 (91.7%) patients were on coprescription of CHM and Western medications. A total of 5618 (79.5%) CHM prescriptions were used with Western medications concurrently. The most commonly used CHM on coprescription were Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, Ma Zi Ren Wan, and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. The most commonly used Western medications on coprescription were magnesium oxide, amlodipine, and aspirin. There were increasing trends of CM use among prostate cancer patients under National Health Insurance in Taiwan. Most users of CM also used Western medicine. CM appeared to play a complementary rather than alternative role. CHM was the most commonly used therapy. Most CHM were used with Western medications concurrently. The potential drug-herb interactions should be concerned.