The Association of Chinese Herbal Medicine Use with Health and Chronic Disease Conditions in the Elderly in Taiwan

[[abstract]]Background: The use of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) is common among Taiwanese. There are reports of side effects or unintended reactions associated CHM use. However, the long term effects on the occurrence of chronic diseases have not been well investigated. Objective: The objectives of this study are to investigate the prevalence of CHM use, the factors that impact the use, and the potential effects of CHM use on the occurrence of chronic diseases in older adult Taiwanese. Methods: The study analyzed 1999 and 2003 cross-sectional and longitudinal data of the "Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan, SHLSET" conducted by the Bureau of Health Promotion of Taiwan. SPSS 12.0 Software Package was used to conduct the statistical analyses. Chi-square Test was used to test the significance of differences between those who used and did not use CHM stratified by sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, self-viewed health status, and the occurrence of chronic diseases. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the significance of the impact of sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, self-viewed health status, and the occurrence of chronic diseases on CHM use, and to determine the impact of CHM use on follow-up incidences of chronic diseases. Results: Results show that approximately 16% of older Taiwanese self-reported use of CHM in 1999. Greater proportions of elderly who were less formally educated, ethnic Southern Fukienese, central Taiwan residents, self-viewed poorer health or nutritional status, or had heart disease or chronic kidney disease (CKD) used CHM. Age and lifestyle factors such smoking, drinking, betel-nut chewing and physical activity did not have significant effect. Binary regression analysis revealed a significant increase in follow-up incidence (43%) in CKD among CHM users compared to non-users. Conclusion: Results show that CHM use is common among older Taiwanese (approximately 16%). CHM use is associated with increased CKD risk. CHM use is also associated with an increase in follow-up CKD. Results suggest that CHM use is not necessarily riskless. Greater efforts are needed to further explore the long-term health risk of CHM. More aggressive health promotion and better management and control of CHM use might be the key to reduce the potential risks