Effects of Long-Term Intake of Korean Medicine on Gynecology Patients’ Livers and Kidneys; Panel Study:

- Focus on Before Intake, After 3, 6 Months -

Article information

J Korean Med. 2020;41(1):84-92
Publication date (electronic) : 2020 March 9
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.20006
1Jayoon Korean medical clinic
2Development of Korean Medicine Policy, National Institute for Korean Medicine
3Seoul Health Foundation
4Dept. of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University
Correspondence to: 이선동 강원도 원주시 우산동 상지대길 83 상지대학교 한의과대학 예방의학교실, Tel: +82-33-730-0665, Fax: +82-33-738-7825, E-mail: sdlee@sangji.ac.kr
Received 2020 February 13; Revised 2020 February 27; Accepted 2020 February 28.

Abstract

Objectives

To observe the effects on liver and kidney of gynecology patients’ during long term Korean Medicine.

Methods

This research was conducted as a panel study on 29 female gynecology patients at Korean medicine clinic and compares their conditions before, 3 months after, and 6 months after Intake of Korean medicine. This analysis was conducted to frequency(%), repeated measure ANOVA and significantly statistics was p<0.05, confidence interval.

Results

The most common conditions among the subjects were polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine myoma. Except in a few instances, liver functions (AST, ALT, γ-GTP) were within the normal range before and after the intake of Korean medicine. Further, while there was a slight change in liver functions when three months and six months after the intake, but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). As for the kidney functions (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine), they were within the normal range before and after the intake of Korean medicine. Further, while there was a slight change in kidney functions three months and six months after the intake, there was no statistical significance(p>0.05) either.

Conclusions

Based on these results, it can be concluded that Korean medicine does not have a negative impact on the gynecology patients’ liver and kidney.

Sociodemography Characteristics (N=29)

Liver Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake (N=29)

Kidney Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake (N=29)

Comparison of liver Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake (N=29)

Comparison of Kidney Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake

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Article information Continued

Table 1

Sociodemography Characteristics (N=29)

Characteristics Frequency n(%)
Sex Male 0(0.0)
Female 29(100.0)

Age 10’s 3(10.3)
20’s 7(24.1)
30’s 8(27.6)
40’s 10(34.5)
50’s 1(3.4)

Body mass index <18.5 3(10.3)
18.5–22.9 16(55.2)
23.0–24.9 4(13.8)
25< 6(20.7)

Drinking No 22(75.9)
Yes 7(24.1)

Smoking No 29(100)
Yes 0(0)

Marital status Unmarried 16(55.2)
Married 13(44.8)

Occupation Profession 4(13.8)
Service, manufacturing workers 2(6.9)
Office workers 10(34.5)
House wife 9(31.0)
Student 4(13.8)

Gynecological diseases Cystic tumor 1(3.4)
Polycystic ovary syndrome 8(27.6)
Amenorrhea 1(3.4)
Cystitis 2(6.9)
Infertility 2(6.9)
Adenoma 4(13.8)
Uterine myoma 4(13.8)
Endometriosis 5(17.2)
Premature ovarian failure 1(3.4)
Vaginitis 1(3.4)

Table 2

Liver Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake (N=29)

LFT Normative Before intervention After 3 months After 6 months
AST Normal 26(89.7) 28(96.6) 26(89.7)
Abnormal 3(10.3) 1(3.4) 3(10.3)

ALT Normal 28(96.6) 27(93.1) 26(89.7)
Abnormal 1(3.4) 2(6.9) 3(10.3)

γ-GTP Normal 28(96.6) 27(93.1) 26(89.7)
Abnormal 1(3.4) 2(6.9) 3(10.3)

unit : n(%)

LFT= Liver function tests; AST=Aspartate transaminase; ALT= Alanine transaminase; γ-GTP=glutamyltransferase

Table 3

Kidney Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake (N=29)

RFT Normative Before intervention After 3 months After 6 months
BUN Normal 27(93.1) 25(86.2) 28(96.6)
Abnormal 2(6.9) 4(13.8) 1(3.4)

Creatinine Normal 28(96.6) 28(96.6) 29(100.0)
Abnormal 1(3.4) 1(3.4) 0(0)

BUN/Creatinine Normal 13(44.8) 16(55.2) 23(79.3)
Abnormal 16(55.2) 13(44.8) 6(20.7)

unit : n(%)

RFT=Renal function test; BUN=Blood urea nitrogen

Table 4

Comparison of liver Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake (N=29)

Liver Function Mean(SD) 95% confidence interval p-value
AST Before intervention 20.21(5.73) 18.02–22.39
After intervention 3 month 21.28(4.91) 19.41–23.14 1.00
6 month 23.07(10.54) 19.06–27.08 0.44

ALT Before intervention 14.76(6.71) 12.21–17.31
After intervention 3 month 13.93(5.56) 11.82–16.05 1.00
6 month 13.38(8.06) 10.31–16.45 0.48

γ-GTP Before intervention 17.46(21.55) 9.11–25.82
After intervention 3 month 15.36(16.01) 9.15–21.57 0.51
6 month 15.04(12.73) 10.10–19.98 0.78

unit : IU/L

Table 5

Comparison of Kidney Function on Before, After 3, 6 Months Korean Medicine Intake

Kidney Function Mean(SD) 95% confidence interval p-value
BUN Before intervention 11.58(3.99) 10.04–13.13
After intervention 3 month 10.94(3.75) 9.48–12.39 1.00
6 month 11.11(3.18) 9.88–12.34 1.00

Creatinine Before intervention 0.64(0.12) 0.59–0.68
After intervention 3 month 0.65(0.11) 0.59–0.68 1.00
6 month 0.66(0.09) 0.62–0.70 1.00

BUN/Creatinine Before intervention 18.46(6.09) 16.14–20.77
After intervention 3 month 17.10(7.04) 14.50–19.71 1.00
6 month 16.44(4.10) 14.88–18.00 0.94

unit; mg/dL