General prescription pattern of insured herbal preparation in South Korea: A nationwide cohort study

Objectives: Research on the general prescription patterns of insured herbal preparations in Korea has been limited. This study aimed to analyze prescription patterns of insured herbal preparations, utilizing the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) sample cohort 2.0 data from 2010 to 2019.Methods: NHIS sample cohort 2.0 database, which represents a sample of 2.2% of the Korean population, was analyzed. We analyzed data related to prescriptions recognized as insured herbal preparations. Variables included patient demographics, diagnosis codes, prescription details, and healthcare institution characteristics. We examined trends over the decade, focusing on herbal formulae and single herb extracts.Results: During the study period, 275,358 patients visited Korean traditional medicine clinics and received at least one prescription of herbal preparations, representing 27.5% of the total sample. The number of prescriptions increased by 209%, from 34,621 in 2010 to 72,553 in 2019. Females accounted for 67% of these prescriptions, and 77% were for patients aged 70 and older. The top ten herbal formulae (TTHF), including Ojeok-san and Gungha-tang, constituted 76% of all prescriptions. Herbal formulae were used more frequently than single herb extracts, with certain prescriptions being commonly utilized. There was a notable focus on musculoskeletal disorders, with low back pain being the most common diagnosis.Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant increase in the use of insured herbal preparations, primarily in small clinics and among the elderly. Prescription patterns showed a preference for specific single herb extracts and herbal formulae, with consistent trends over time. These findings provide valuable insights for future clinical research and policy development, particularly as herbal medicine's role in the national healthcare system continues to expand.