Abstract
Large-scale studies of utilization of medical services among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are lacking. We aimed to investigate the usage of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among these patients in Taiwan. We analyzed one million samples from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Patients (n=1814) newly diagnosed with AD in 2001-2010 were divided into TCM users (n=528) and non-TCM users (n=1286). Compared with non-TCM users, TCM users were younger, had a higher female:male ratio and higher utilization rate of Western medicine. The median interval between diagnosis and the first TCM consultation was 7.92months. Donepezil and rivastigmine were commonly prescribed medications. Chinese herbal medicine was the most popular treatment among TCM users. This study revealed the specific usage patterns of TCM and non-TCM medical services among patients with AD. The information could be used for improving the healthcare of patients with AD.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
