Pharmacoeconomics analysis of the traditional Chinese medicine injections for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis in cervical spondylosis patients with non-surgical treatment

Objective To evaluate the economic efficiency of the traditional Chinese medicine injection for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis in cervical spondylosis patients with non-surgical treatment, providing economical, effective and safe treatment options for cervical spine disease. Methods A total of 242 inpatients diagnosed as cervical spondylosis in four comprehensive hospitals in the region between 2015 and 2017 were selected as study subjects by retrospective study method, and were divided into observation group(n=177)and control group(n=65)according to therapeutic schedule. The observation group was given traditional Chinese medicine injection for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis, while the control group was not given the same therapy. Therapeutic efficacy, the occurrence of adverse reactions and cost during treatment of two groups were recorded. Cost-minimization method was given to the two groups for analysis. Results The cure - rates of observation group and control group were 2.8%, 4.6%, respectively; improvement rates were 97.2%, 93.8%, respectively. There were no statistical significant differences in cure rate and improvement rate(P>0.05). The total medical cost per person of two groups were 13 154.4, 12 276.2 Yuan, respectively, and the observation group was higher than control group, and the results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with the results of cost-minimization analysis. Conclusion For non-surgical treatment patients with cervical spondylosis, there is no significant difference in the efficacy of treatment with or without TCM injection for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis, but TCM injection has higher cost, but no economic advantage. Therefore, the phenomenon of the extensive use of TCM injection for invigorating blood circulation and eliminating stasis in the treatment of cervical spondylosis deserves deep consideration. It is hoped that relevant departments will adopt corresponding normative measures in this regard.