Predictors for the use of traditional Chinese medicine among inpatients with first-time stroke: a population-based study

Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability. The treatments that are provided to patients during hospitalization after an acute stroke are very important in stabilizing their medical condition and enabling the recovery of their motor functions. However, limited information is available regarding the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) during hospitalization for first-time stroke patients. The researchers aimed to investigate the factors affecting TCM use and to provide clinicians with comprehensive information on TCM use among first-time stroke inpatients in Taiwan. Methods: The researchers collected and analyzed data, including patient characteristics, TCM use, and TCM prescription patterns, from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan for first-time stroke inpatients between 2006 and 2012. Results: Among the 89,162 first-time stroke patients, 7455 were TCM users, and 81,707 were TCM nonusers. The predictors for TCM use were as follows: age, 45-64 or < 45 years; men; living in a level 2, 4, or 7 urbanized area; insured amount ≥ 576 USD per month; ischemic stroke; hospitalized for first-time stroke for 8-14 days, 15-28 days, or ≥ 29 days; stroke severity index score 0-9 or 10-19; Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index score 0 or 1-2; hospitalization in a regional or community hospital; receiving rehabilitation; and previous experience with outpatient TCM use. An increase in the number of TCM users was observed from 2006 to 2012. Furthermore, 68.8-79.7% of TCM users used acupuncture only, while 17.8-26.1% used both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Conclusions: An increasing number of first-time stroke patients have been choosing TCM as a complementary treatment during hospitalization. Moreover, TCM use is associated with demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic characteristics. These findings may help clinicians comprehensively understand the trend and the important factors affecting TCM utilization among patients who are hospitalized due to first-time stroke.

Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Its Impact on Medical Cost among Urban Ischemic Stroke Inpatients in China: A National Cross-Sectional Study

“…A higher proportion of TCM users with ischemic stroke chose primary hospitals to receive medical services, consistent with a study from Taiwan [42]. For those who were admitted to primary hospitals, the total inpatient cost for TCM users was lower than TCM nonusers, though not statistically significant.…”

“…Although randomized clinical trials and animal studies have confirmed that TCM, specifically Chinese patent medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, and Chinese medicine injection, is effective in treating ischemic stroke [36][37][38][39], conventional recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is almost the only approved and available thrombolytic agent used at the onset of acute ischemic stroke [40,41]. As reported by both clinical trials [25,40] and real-world studies [42,43], the effectiveness and safety of TCM were mostly related to the ischemic stroke rehabilitation and recovery of motor function stages. ere is no TCM medication to replace conventional thrombolytic medication during the onset of acute ischemic stroke.…”

“…For those who were admitted to primary hospitals, the total inpatient cost for TCM users was lower than TCM nonusers, though not statistically significant. Patients in the rehabilitation or recovery phase of ischemic stroke were more willing to seek medical treatment in primary hospitals [42].…”

Demands for Telenursing-Based Long-Term Care Among Disabled Older Adults in Qingdao, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine nursing has played an increasing role in disease treatment and prevention and has been widely recognized by people. 37 Guohua Zheng showed that Baduanjin qigong training not only increased the immunity of older adults but also improved their mood and confidence. 38 Therefore, it was recommended to integrate traditional Chinese medicine nursing with long-term care as soon as possible to delay the disability of older adults to a certain extent.…”

Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Integrated With Conventional Rehabilitation for Post-stroke Functional Recovery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…The TCHM prescriptions are also reported to relieve stroke-associated complications and reduce the risk factors and stroke recurrence rate ( Chang et al, 2016 ; Peng et al, 2017 ). A recent population-based study in Taiwan demonstrated that the number of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) users among stroke patients increased from 2006 to 2012 ( Chen W.S. et al, 2020 ).…”