title: The traditional Chinese medicine prescription patterns of Sjögren׳s patients in Taiwan: a population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), when given for symptom relief, have gained widespread popularity among Sjögren׳s patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of TCM among Sjögren׳s patients in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The usage, frequency of service, and the Chinese herbal products prescribed among Sjögren׳s patients were evaluated in a cohort of 1,000,000 beneficiaries recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The logistic regression method was employed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for utilization of a TCM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than 90% of Sjögren׳s patients received TCM out-patient services at least once during the study period. Patients with secondary Sjögren׳s syndrome were more likely to seek TCM treatment than those with primary Sjögren׳s syndrome. The aOR for those suffering from at least one rheumatologic disease was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.26-1.93), those with two rheumatologic diseases was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.29-3.04), while those with three or more rheumatologic diseases was 7.86 (95% CI: 1.09-56.58). Compared to Sjögren׳s patients who used no medical treatment, the aOR for those who took one type of conventional medication was 1.55 (95% CI: 1.25-1.92), those who took two types was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.60-2.47) while those who took three or more types was 2.91 (95% CI: 2.20-3.84). Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan (Lycium Berry, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill) was the most frequently prescribed formula among Sjögren׳s patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan is the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula for Sjögren׳s syndrome and its effects should be taken into account by healthcare providers.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan; Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City 112, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Min-Chien
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City 112, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Ren-Ai Chinese Medicine Branch, Taipei, Taipei City 106, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shun-Ku
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City 112, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Yangming Branch, Taipei City 111, Taiwan. Electronic address: kareny@ms10.hinet.net.
authors.forename: Jung-Nien
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: James Cheng-Chung
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chieh-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal
keywords: Chinese herbal product; National Health Insurance Research Database; Prescription patterns; Qi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan; Sjögren׳s syndrome