The Combined Treatment with Oriental Herbal Medicine and Western Biomedical Medicine among Cerebrovascular Attack Patients

뇌졸중 환자의 한약.양약 복합투여에 관한 단면연구

Objectives : The combined treatment (CT) with oriental herbal medicine and western biomedical medicine is prevalent in the world including Korea. But the clinical information on frequency, efficacy and safety of CT at lout cerebrovascular attack hat not known thoroughly yet. This study aimed to identify the status and adverse effects of CT for the treatment of stroke patients. Methods : A self-completed questionnaire survey and medical record survey by oriental medical doctors were performed in 20 Korean Oriental medical hospitals. Of the initial 1,000 in-patients through 2-stage sampling method, 883 were participated in this surrey, resulting in a response rate of 88.3%. Results : Among stroke patients, the proportion of CT was 94.1%. 156 respondents (18.8%): were experienced several adverse effects including headache, dizziness (fatigue), diarrhea, constipation, chest discomfort, etc. The severity of these adverse effects was generally mild to moderate. Although they quitted the CT, 9.8% of patients were not relieved from adverse effects. Conclusions : This study suggests that most patients in Korean Oriental medical hospitals used the combined treatment with oriental herbal medicine and western biomedical medicine for management of stroke. Therefore, the medical professionals should provide comprehensive and up-to-date clinical information about potential benefits and risks of CT to the stroke patients.