Real-World patterns of Korean medicine and combined Korean-Western medicine use in patients with chronic cough at Korean medicine institutions: a nationwide cohort study.

Researchers in South Korea analyzed data from over 14,000 patients with chronic cough—defined as cough lasting at least 56 days—to understand how Korean medicine (KM) treatments are used in real-world settings. The study examined nationwide insurance records from 2011 to 2020, comparing patients who received only Korean medicine with those who combined Korean and Western medicine approaches.

The study found that three out of four patients (74.8%) chose Korean medicine exclusively for their chronic cough, while one in four combined both approaches. Patients who used combined care tended to have more complex health conditions, including higher rates of acid reflux (50.1% vs. 31.3%), allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Despite an overall decline in Korean medicine visits nationally, the proportion of patients seeking these treatments specifically for chronic cough more than doubled during the study period.

Acupuncture was the cornerstone of treatment, used by nearly all patients (98.6%) with an average of 20 sessions. Many patients also received complementary therapies including cupping (59.3%) and hot-cold meridian therapy (42.9%). Herbal formulas were commonly prescribed, with Samso-eum (35.0%) and So-cheong-ryong-tang (23.3%) being most popular.

Interestingly, despite the high rates of acid reflux among patients—a known trigger for chronic cough—traditional formulas targeting digestive issues were rarely prescribed. This suggests a gap between diagnosed conditions and treatment approaches.

For patients struggling with chronic cough who have found limited relief from conventional options, this study indicates that acupuncture-based multimodal care is widely used in real-world practice, though more standardized treatment guidelines are needed. If considering acupuncture for chronic cough, seek a qualified, licensed practitioner experienced in respiratory conditions.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed Korean national claims data (2011-2020) for 14,223 patients with chronic cough (≥56 days, ≥3 visits) initially seeking Korean medicine (KM) care. Patients were stratified into KM-only (74.8%) and integrative KM+WM (25.2%) groups based on Western medicine encounters within ±30 days. The KM+WM cohort demonstrated significantly higher comorbidity burden (CCI≥1: 43.7% vs. 32.8%), with elevated rates of GERD (50.1% vs. 31.3%), allergic rhinitis (51.0% vs. 30.1%), and asthma (26.8% vs. 14.4%). Acupuncture was nearly universal (98.6%; mean 19.8 sessions), frequently combined with cupping (59.3%) and hot-cold meridian therapy (42.9%). Primary herbal formulas included Samso-eum (35.0%) and So-cheong-ryong-tang (23.3%), while GERD-targeted prescriptions remained minimal (Ojeok-san 3.3%, Saengmaek-san 2.7%) despite high GERD prevalence. Clinical takeaway: Acupuncture-centered multimodal approaches dominate chronic cough management in this population, but the disconnect between GERD comorbidity and targeted herbal prescribing patterns highlights the need for evidence-based integrative protocols addressing underlying pathophysiology.