• Soobin Jang, Sun Haeng Lee, Ye Ji Kim, and Boram Lee.
• Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Mar 10; 102 (10): e33193e33193.

BackgroundHerbal medicines have been used for a long time to treat idiopathic short stature (ISS) in children in East Asian countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of 5 herbal medicines frequently used in clinical settings for children with ISS based on medical records.MethodsPatients with ISS who had been prescribed a 60-day supply of herbal medicines in 1 Korean medicine hospital were included in this analysis. Their height and height percentile were measured before and after treatment within 6-months. The average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) of 5 herbal medicines for height (cm) and height percentile were calculated for boys and girls, respectively.ResultsThe ACERs per 1 cm height growth were USD 56.2 (Naesohwajung-Tang), USD 74.8 (Ogapi-Growth decoction), USD 86.6 (Gamcho-Growth decoction), USD 94.6 (Gwakhyangjeonggi-San plus Yukmijihwang-Tang), and USD 113.8 (Boyang-Growth decoction). The ACERs per 1 percentile height growth were USD 205 (Naesohwajung-Tang), USD 293 (Ogapi-Growth decoction), USD 470 (Gamcho-Growth decoction), USD 949 (Boyang-Growth decoction), and USD 1051 (Gwakhyangjeonggi-San plus Yukmijihwang-Tang).ConclusionHerbal medicine might be a potential economical alternative treatment for ISS.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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