The prescription patterns of traditional Chinese medicine for women with polycystic ovary syndrome in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study

Mei Jiun Lin, Hsiao Wei Chen, Pi Hua Liu, Wei Jen Cheng, Shun Li Kuo, Ming Chen Kao*, Myeong Soo Lee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease of reproductive-age women, accounting for about 9% to 18% of all women in this age group. Hyperandrogenemia, oligomenorrhea, or amenorrhea or anovulation, and polycystic ovary morphology are the 3 main criteria used to diagnose PCOS currently. Substantial scientific evidence and consensus on treating Taiwanese PCOS was lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among Taiwanese women with PCOS.The data used in this study were derived from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID 2000 and LHID 2005). Demographic characteristics, TCM usage, the frequency, as well as average daily dose of Chinese herbal formulas and the single herbs prescribed for patients with PCOS, were analyzed. Chinese herbal formulas and the single herbs prescribed for PCOS women during 1999 to 2013 were extracted to build up Chinese Herbal Medicine prescription database.In our study, 66.43% (n=8205) women sought TCM treatment because of PCOS for infertility or menstrual disorders. The most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula was Jia-wei-xiao-yao-san (Supplemented Free Wanderer Powder). The most commonly prescribed single herb was Yi-mu-cao (Leonuri herba). Among top 20 Chinese herbal formulas, Si-wu-tang has the largest average daily dosage (9.60g).Our study identified the characteristics and prescription patterns of TCM for patients with PCOS in Taiwan. We may need do further longitudinal research for TCM and its long-term response for improvement of pregnancy rate and reduction of metabolic disease rate.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere15890
JournalMedicine (United States)
Volume98
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 06 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

Keywords

  • complementary and alternative medicine
  • longitudinal health insurance database
  • polycystic ovary syndrome
  • traditional Chinese medicine

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