Lation.Statistical analysisAll statistical analyses were performed using SAS software, version
Lation.Statistical analysisAll statistical analyses were performed using SAS software, version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, PubMed ID:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28388412 NC, U.S.A.). A univariate analysis was conducted to compare the TCM seekers with the non-TCM seekers. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, including the frequency of TCM prescriptions, the patients’ demographic characteristics, indications for the prescription of TCM, and the most frequently prescribed herbal formulas and herbs for the treatment of DUB. We used t-test and chi-square test to examine the differences of numerical Anlotinib price variables and categorical variables between two cohorts, respectively. The frequency of co-morbidities, which were the medical conditions as the reasons that DUB patients visited the clinics, between the two cohorts was compared using chi-squareResults Among one million beneficiaries, a total of 46,339 patients with newly diagnosed DUB between 1997 and 2010 were enrolled in this study (Fig. 1). Among these subjects, 89.69 (n = 41,558) visited TCM doctors for clinical consultation or treatment. Patients within the range of 18?9 years old were most likely to receive TCM treatment (Table 1). Patients who lived in highly urbanized areas preferred to use TCM. Large portion of TCM seekers also took Western medications, especially tranexamic acid and NSAIDs. With regard to the treatment approaches, 55.41 of the TCM seekers received combined treatment of both Chinese herbal remedies and acupuncture/traumatology, and 44.28 of patients only received prescribed Chinese herbal remedies (Table 2). Regarding the frequency of visits, 71.02 of patients visited TCM clinics for 1 to 3 times/year, while 18.48 of patients consulted TCM doctors more than 6 times/year. We compared the frequency of different diseases, included DUB-related and unrelated co-morbidities, between non-TCM and TCM seekers (Table 3). TCM seekers had high frequency of anemia, menopausal syndrome, and female infertility. Moreover, TCM seekers also had higher frequency in psychological symptoms such as depression, insomnia, or sleep disturbance. High incidence of vertigo/dizziness, migraine/headache, digestive disorders, and upper PubMed ID:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26100631 respiratory infection in TCM seekers were also demonstrated. To identify the prescription patterns, we further analyzed the Chinese herbal formulas prescribed by TCM doctors. The most commonly used TCM formula and single herb were Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (Bupleurum and Peony Formula) and Yi-Mu-Cao (Herba Leonuri), respectively (Table 4 and Table 5). The core patterns of Chinese formulas and herbs prescribed for DUB patients were examined in the network analysis. The core pattern and the most frequently used combinations of formulas and single herbs consisted of Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San, Xiang-Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi), and Yi-Mu-Cao (Herba Leonuri) (Fig. 2). Discussions In this study, we found that more than 90 of patients with DUB received TCM treatment. Patients with young age (18?9 y/o) or patients lived in highly urbanized areas were more likely to receive TCM treatment. Of the TCM seekers in our study, more than half of them received both herbal medicine and acupuncture/traumatology. Jia-Wei-Lin et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017) 17:Page 4 ofTable 1 Demographic characteristics of the patients with newly diagnosed dysfunctional uterine bleeding from 1997 to 2010 in TaiwanVariable non-TCM seekers n = 4779 (10.31 ) n Age at baseline 18?9 30?9 40 Mean (SD) Urbanization levels 1 (hig.