Association between Korean medicine use and analgesic and opioid utilization among patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Cancer-related pain is commonly managed with analgesics, including opioids; however, concerns regarding long-term use have underscored the need for complementary approaches. This study investigated the association between Korean medicine (KM) use and subsequent analgesic and opioid utilization among patients with gastric cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort in Korea. Patients diagnosed with gastric cancer were classified as KM users or non-users based on outpatient KM utilization. Outcomes included any use of analgesics and opioids (yes/no) and the number of prescriptions during follow-up. Multivariable regression analyses were performed, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, including healthcare utilization. Results KM use was not significantly associated with the likelihood of analgesic or opioid use during follow-up. However, in adjusted analyses, KM use was associated with significantly lower prescription counts for both analgesics and opioids. These findings suggest that KM use was associated with the intensity of medication use rather than overall use. Conclusions Among patients with gastric cancer, KM use was associated with lower prescription counts for analgesics and opioids but was not significantly associated with the likelihood of analgesic or opioid use. These findings suggest a potential complementary role for KM in medication-based pain management, particularly in relation to medication burden. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.