Chinese herbal products for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A population-based registry study

Introduction: The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its treatment-related side effects has been increasing. We investigated the utilization of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) for NPC in Taiwan. Methods: This retrospective, nationwide, population-based study was conducted and obtained data from the Registry for Catastrophic Illnesses Patient Database from 2001 through 2011 in Taiwan. The top ten most frequently prescribed formulae and single CHPs for treating NPC were assessed. Demographic characteristics, including sex and age at diagnosis of NPC, were examined, together with existing comorbidities. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for CHP utilization. Results: In total, 17,816 patients aged 20 years were newly diagnosed with NPC. Of these, 4749 patients used TCM outpatient services for NPC treatment. NPC patients using TCM were more likely to be women (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.37-1.58), young, and residents of central Taiwan (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.37-1.62) and southern Taiwan (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05-1.21). The most commonly prescribed formula CHP was Gan-Lu-Yin (2.99%), followed by Xin-Yi-Qing Fei-Tang (1.52%) and Shan-Shen-Mai-Men-Dong-Tang (0.92%). The most commonly prescribed single CHP was Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis diffusa) (3.23%), followed by Xuan Shen (Scrophularia ningpoensis) (2.24%) and Mai Men Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) (1.84%). Conclusions: These findings provide information regarding personalized therapies for NPC and can promote further clinical experiments and pharmacological research on CHPs for NPC treatment in Taiwan.