Time-trend analysis of prevalence, incidence and traditional Chinese medicine use among children with asthma: a population-based study.
This study determined annual prevalence and incidence trends of asthma among children in Taiwan from 2002 to 2008. Risk factors and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) use were examined.



A random sample was selected for a population-based study with a selection probability of 0.5 from all 3-18 years insurants. The annual prevalence and incidence of asthma were estimated according to age, sex, insurance premium and degree of urbanization.



The prevalence of asthma increased from 12.99% in 2002 to 16.86% in 2008. The increase was greatest in 2008, among boys, 11-15 years, ≥medium insurance premium, and high- and medium-density urban area. TCM use in asthma-prevalent children decreased from 1.16% in 2002 to 0.59% in 2008. The incidence fluctuated, ranging from 1.01% in 2002 to 1.49% in 2005. The highest was in 2005, among boys, 3-5 years, ≥medium insurance premium and high-density urban area. TCM use in asthma-incident children decreased from 3.59% in 2002 to 1.69% in 2008.



This study demonstrated a substantial increase in annual prevalence of asthma among children in Taiwan from 2002 to 2008. The incidence fluctuated. The TCM use showed a decreasing linear trend and was higher in incident than in prevalent cases.
Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan Department of Pediatrics, Tai-An Hospital, Taichung 40143, Taiwan.
Yi-Chun
YC
Ma
Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
Cheng-Chieh
CC
Lin
School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
Chia-Ing
CI
Li
Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.
Jen-Huai
JH
Chiang
Research Center for Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
Tsai-Chung
TC
Li
Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
Jaung-Geng
JG
Lin
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014507:Urbanization
Chinese medicine; asthma; children; incidence; prevalence