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Cost-effectiveness analysis of herbal medicines in children with idiopathic short stature
Soobin Jang1, Sun Haeng Lee2, Ye Ji Kim2
1Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Herbal medicines have been used for a long time to treat idiopathic short stature (ISS) in children in East Asian countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of 5 herbal medicines frequently used in clinical settings for children with ISS based on medical records.
Methods:
Patients with ISS who had been prescribed a 60-day supply of herbal medicines in 1 Korean medicine hospital were included in this analysis. Their height and height percentile were measured before and after treatment within 6-months. The average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) of 5 herbal medicines for height (cm) and height percentile were calculated for boys and girls, respectively.
Results:
The ACERs per 1 cm height growth were USD 56.2 (Naesohwajung-Tang), USD 74.8 (Ogapi-Growth decoction), USD 86.6 (Gamcho-Growth decoction), USD 94.6 (Gwakhyangjeonggi-San plus Yukmijihwang-Tang), and USD 113.8 (Boyang-Growth decoction). The ACERs per 1 percentile height growth were USD 205 (Naesohwajung-Tang), USD 293 (Ogapi-Growth decoction), USD 470 (Gamcho-Growth decoction), USD 949 (Boyang-Growth decoction), and USD 1051 (Gwakhyangjeonggi-San plus Yukmijihwang-Tang).
Conclusion:
Herbal medicine might be a potential economical alternative treatment for ISS.
