An Investigation of the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Stroke Patients in Taiwan.

Background. The use of complementary and alternative medicine in critical illness is increasing worldwide. This study investigates how traditional Chinese medicine (TC M) is used in stroke patients. Methods. Using Taiwan National Health Insurance reimbursement claims, we compared the annual use of TC M between stroke patients and general population, identifying 15,330 patients with a new onset of stroke in 2000-2009. The sociodemographic status andmedical comorbidities between stroke patients receiving TC M services and those without using the service were compared. Results. The use of TC M was higher in stroke patients than in the general population, 27.9% versus 25.4% in 2000 and 32.7% versus 27.8% in 2009, respectively, and grew consistently from 2000 to 2009. Among stroke patients, women, younger patients, white-collar employees, higher-income residents, and those living in areas with more TC M physicians were more likely to use TC M. Stroke patients using rehabilitation services were more likely to have more TC Mvisits (OR= 2.28, 95% CI = 1.96-2.66) and higher expenditure on TC M (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 2.29-3.12) compared with stroke patients without rehabilitation. Conclusion. TC M is popular and well accepted in Taiwan. Patients with stroke have a higher TC M utilization rate than people without stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]