Predicting Japanese Kampo formulas by analyzing database of medical records: a preliminary observational study

Abstract

BackgroundApproximately 90 % of physicians in Japan use Kampo medicine in daily practice. However, it is a challenge for physicians who do not specialize in Kampo medicine to select a proper Kampo formula out of the 148 officially approved formulas, as the decision relies on traditional measurements and traditional medicine pattern diagnoses. The present study tries to evaluate the feasibility of a decision support system for frequently used Kampo formulas.MethodsOur study included 393 patients who visited the Kampo Clinic at Keio University Hospital for the first time between May 2008 and March 2013. We collected medical records through a browser-based questionnaire system and applied random forests to predict commonly prescribed Kampo formulas.ResultsThe discriminant rate was the highest (87.0 %) when we tried to predict a Kampo formula from two candidates using age, sex, body mass index, subjective symptoms, and the two essential and predictable traditional medicine pattern diagnoses (excess–deficiency and heat–cold) as predictor variables. The discriminant rate decreased as the candidate Kampo formulas increased, with the greatest drop occurring between three (76.7 %) and four (47.5 %) candidates. Age, body mass index, and traditional medicine pattern diagnoses had higher importance according to the characteristics of each Kampo formula when we utilized the prediction model, which predicted a Kampo formula from among three candidates.ConclusionsThese results suggest that our decision support system for non-specialist physicians works well in selecting appropriate Kampo formulas from among two or three candidates. Additional studies are required to integrate the present statistical analysis in clinical practice.

Antimalarial activity of traditional Kampo medicine Coptis Rhizome extract and its major active compounds

“…Not only herbal medicine but also massage, moxibustion, acupuncture and acupressure are included [29,30]. Each formula among 148 Kampo formulas covered by the Japanese Health Insurance systems has a speci c clinical indication for a speci c disease and/or symptoms [31]. Moreover, Kampo medicine has been prescribed by over 80% of the physician in Japan and integrated into modern medicine due to high safety and quality [32].…”

Drug‐Repositioning Approach for the Discovery of Anti‐Influenza Virus Activity of Japanese Herbal (Kampo) Medicines In Vitro: Potent High Activity of Daio‐Kanzo‐To

“…In addition, unlike other forms of folk medicine, the formula and quality of crude drug components of Kampo medicines are well defined by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) [13]. At present, 148 formulae of Kampo medicines, used for the treatment of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases, are used as prescription medicines [14]. No attempts have been made to screen anti-influenza virus activity of these Kampo medicines.…”

Anti-malarial activity of traditional Kampo medicine Coptis rhizome extract and its major active compounds

“…Not only herbal medicine but also massage, moxibustion, acupuncture and acupressure are included [29,30]. Each formula among 148 Kampo formulas covered by the Japanese Health Insurance systems has a specific clinical indication for a specific disease and/or symptoms [31]. Moreover, Kampo medicine has been prescribed by over 80% of the physician in Japan and integrated into modern medicine due to high safety and quality [32].…”