A hospital clinic-based survey on traditional Chinese medicine usage among chronic hepatitis B patients.
OBJECTIVE
To survey the pattern of traditional Chinese medicine usage among chronic hepatitis B patients.


METHODS
Self-administered questionnaire survey.


METHODS
Hepatitis clinic at a university hospital in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Proportion of chronic hepatitis B patients who have ever used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and factors associated with the use.


RESULTS
Three hundred and sixty-two patients completed the survey (response rate 93%). One hundred and sixteen (32%) patients reported history of traditional Chinese medicine usage. One hundred and five (91%) patients felt that Chinese medicine had few or no side effects. Most (81%) patients did not inform their physicians on Chinese medicine usage. On multivariate analysis, recent travel to Mainland China, perceived active hepatitis and family members with chronic hepatitis B were independent factors associated with the use of Chinese medicine.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic hepatitis B patients commonly use traditional Chinese medicine. As patients seldom inform the physicians about the use of Chinese medicine, doctors should explicitly enquire about this because of potential therapeutic implications.
Wong
Vincent Wai-Sun
VW
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 9/F, The Prince of Wales Hospital, 30-32 Ngan Shing Road, Shatin, Hong Kong, China.
Law
Man-Yee
MY
Hui
Alex Yui
AY
Lo
Angeline Oi-Shan
AO
Li
Cheuk-Yin
CY
Soo
Man-Tak
MT
Leung
Hor-Yee
HY
Chan
Henry Lik-Yuen
HL
D000328:Adult; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal