Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine users and prescription analysis for pediatric atopic dermatitis: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Atopic dermatitis among children is an important issue due to relapses and skin manifestations. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is commonly used to treat children with atopic dermatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and TCM prescriptions of patients with atopic dermatitis using a nationwide database.


METHODS
Children younger than 12 years of age diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, defined as ICD-9-CM codes 691.8 and 692.x, were identified from the database. Data on age, diagnosis codes, area of residence and use of corticosteroids of the TCM users were recorded. Association rule mining was used to analyze the prescriptions used for atopic dermatitis.


RESULTS
We identified 13,646 children with atopic dermatitis using TCM in 2007. Female gender (OR: 0.83 for male gender), adolescence (OR: 10.0, 95 % CI: 8.88-11.15) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 2.44, 95 % CI: 2.10-2.85) were associated with the use of TCM. Fewer of the TCM users were prescribed with corticosteroids (35.8 % of all TCM users), but the TCM users had a higher rate of long-term topical corticosteroid therapy (10.6 % for TCM users versus 2.0 % for those who did not use TCM). Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) was used by 93.7 % of all TCM users in 36,398 prescriptions. On average, 5.6 kinds of CHM were used in combination. The relationship between the CHMs constituted a network, in which Xiao-Feng-San was the core treatment for atopic dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we described the characteristics of children with atopic dermatitis who use TCM in Taiwan. and identified the core CHM treatment. Further research on the safety and efficacy of this treatment are still needed.
Department of Medical Research and Education, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, I-Lan, Taiwan.|Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yu-Chun
YC
Chen
Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 123, Dinghu Rd., Gueishan Dist., Taoyuan City, 33378, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Yi-Hsuan
YH
Lin
School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Sindy
S
Hu
Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 123, Dinghu Rd., Gueishan Dist., Taoyuan City, 33378, Taiwan. b8705016@gmail.com.|Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. b8705016@gmail.com.|School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. b8705016@gmail.com.
Hsing-Yu
HY
Chen
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D013624:Taiwan
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Atopic dermatitis; Chinese herbal medicine; Pediatrics; Traditional Chinese medicine