The Utilization of Chinese Herbal Products for Hyperthyroidism in National Health Insurance System (NHIRD) of Taiwan: A Population-Based Study

Cheng-Chieh Chang; Szu-Ying Wu; Yun-Ru Lai; Yu-Chiang Hung; Chung Y Hsu; Hsuan-Ju Chen; Cheng-Chung Chu; Jai-Hong Cheng; Wen-Long Hu; Chun-En Aurea Kuo

doi:10.1155/2022/5500604

The Utilization of Chinese Herbal Products for Hyperthyroidism in National Health Insurance System (NHIRD) of Taiwan: A Population-Based Study

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Mar 19:2022:5500604. doi: 10.1155/2022/5500604. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Cheng-Chieh Chang^#¹, Szu-Ying Wu^#^{1

2}, Yun-Ru Lai^{3

4}, Yu-Chiang Hung¹, Chung Y Hsu⁵, Hsuan-Ju Chen^{6

7}, Cheng-Chung Chu⁸, Jai-Hong Cheng^{9

10}, Wen-Long Hu^{1

11

12}, Chun-En Aurea Kuo^{1

2

13}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
² School of Chinese Medicine for Post Baccalaureate I-Shou University, No.1, Sec. 1, Syuecheng Rd., Dashu District, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan.
³ Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 70, Lien-hai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
⁵ Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
⁶ Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yuh-Der Rd., Taichung 40447, Taiwan.
⁷ College of Medicine, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
⁸ Department of Computer Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec.4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun Dist., Taichung 407224, Taiwan.
⁹ Center for Shockwave Medicine and Tissue Engineering, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
¹⁰ Medical Research, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
¹¹ Kaohsiung Medical University College of Medicine, No. 100, Shihcyuan 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
¹² Fooyin University College of Nursing, No. 151, Chinhsueh Rd., Ta-liao Dist., Kaohsiung 831, Taiwan.
¹³ Department of Leisure and Sports Management, Cheng Shiu University, No. 840, Chengcing Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung 83347, Taiwan.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) relieves associated symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as heat intolerance, palpitations, tremor, anxiety, weight loss, increased frequency of bowel movements, and shortness of breath. However, there are no studies regarding the core prescription patterns of herbal formula and single herbs for hyperthyroidism in Taiwan.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, observational study using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan to analyze the prescription patterns of TCM. Demographic factors, such as sex, age, occupational status, and residential area, and the risk factors for hyperthyroidism were also studied.

Results: The outpatient or/and inpatient services for hyperthyroidism receive 17,707 cases in a year. Overall, there were 13,394 newly diagnosed patients. TCM was used in 73% of the patients, and 77.3% of the patients were females. The acceptability of TCM was higher among female patients. Most patients were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism between the ages of 30 and 49 years. The most common comorbidity identified was diabetes mellitus. The most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal product (CHP) formula was Jia-Wei-Xia-Yao-San, while Xia-Ku-Cao was the most commonly prescribed single CHP. There was a high coprescription rate for Xuan-Shen, Bei-Mu, and Mu-Li.

Conclusion: This study describes the core prescription pattern of TCM used in the treatment of patients with hyperthyroidism in Taiwan. The most frequently used CHPs could be potential candidates for future pharmacologic studies or clinical trials.