Trends of Korean Medicine Treatment for Parkinson's Disease in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Sample Database.

Background/

Objectives

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a major neurodegenerative condition, mainly treated using dopamine-based therapies. However, the side effects and limitations of these therapies hinder their use. This study aimed to analyze the utilization of Korean medicine (KM) by patients with PD in Korea.

Methods

Data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Sample were used to investigate the status and trend of KM utilization by patients with PD in Korea from January 2010 to December 2019. Data of 18,562 patients were included, and analyses were performed on the status of KM and Western medicine (WM) utilization, cost of care, prescribed medications, comorbidities, and characteristics of patients with PD.

Results

The number of patients who utilized KM services for PD gradually increased over the 10-year period, with 10.6% of all patients with PD using KM services in 2019. In addition, the number of KM users with PD, number of claims, and expenses all showed an increase. The rate of increase in KM service utilization was greater than that of WM. Among KM services, acupuncture had the highest expense (50.6%). Regarding comorbidities in patients with PD, musculoskeletal diseases were the most common (58.6%). Among WM medications prescribed for the KM users, dopa and dopa derivatives (15.5%) and anti-dementia drugs (11.7%) were the most common.

Conclusions

This study provides useful information on KM utilization status and trends among patients with PD and the characteristics of these patients. Follow-up research is warranted on the utilization status of more diverse KM services.