Assessment of therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine for dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients

• Main Authors: Ruei-Chi Fang, 方瑞琪
• Other Authors: Jung-Nien Lai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/04347187497414321164

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 傳統醫藥研究所 === 100 === Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the utilization of TCM among women with endometriosis in Taiwan, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TCM for dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients. Method: Part 1 analyzed the usage, frequency of service, and the Chinese herbal products (CHP) prescribed for endometriosis, among endometriosis patients, using a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,000 beneficiaries recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Part 2 performed a black box, observational follow-up study to examine the efficacy and safety of TCM between endometriosis and primary dysmenorrhea patients. Result: Part 1: Overall, 91.3% (N=13,922) of reproductive age women with endometriosis utilized TCM and 31% of them sought TCM with the intention of treating their endometriosis-related symptoms. Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan was the most frequently prescribed formula for treating endometriosis. Part 2: After 3 months of CHP treatment based on the principle of syndrome differentiation, the pronounced improvement of dysmenorrhea and quality of life was found for women with endometriosis. And, none of them developed a serious adverse event after treatment cessation. Conclusion: Traditional Chinese medicines appear to be effective and safe in reducing the severity of dysmenorrhea. Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan was the most commonly prescribed formula for the treatment of endometriosis and the effects of these commonly used CHPs should be taken into account by healthcare providers.