A real-world data analysis of the use of hepatoprotective drugs in outpatients in six cities of China from 2015 to 2019

Abstract

Objective To investigate the use of hepatoprotective drugs in China in recent years, and to put forward related suggestions. Methods The outpatient prescription data of hepatoprotective drugs were collected from 85 hospitals in 6 cities of China from 2015 to 2019, and a real-world data analysis was performed to analyze the payment method, issuing department, drug category, and use of hepatoprotective drugs. Results A total of 1 113 575 prescriptions were extracted, involving 38 hepatoprotective drugs such as compound glycyrrhizin, polyene phosphatidylcholine, and bicyclol. Hepatoprotective drugs were mainly in tertiary hospitals, and the highest number of prescriptions containing hepatoprotective drugs were observed in department of infectious diseases, department of gastroenterology, and department of tuberculosis. Anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective drugs accounted for the highest proportion of all prescriptions, mainly compound glycyrrhizin, polyene phosphatidylcholine, and bicyclol. Of all prescriptions, 253 429 (22.76%) had the combination of multiple hepatoprotective drugs, with the highest number of 6 drugs, among which polyene phosphatidylcholine combined with bicyclol accounted for the highest proportion. Conclusion There are large quantities of hepatoprotective drugs used by outpatients in China. At present, the hepatoprotective drugs are clinically applied rationally, but there are still some problems to be solved, such as the combination of drugs.