Perception of metabolic diseases related to blood stasis: A survey of Korean medicine doctors

Introduction: Blood stasis is defined as slowing or stagnation of blood and is regarded as a cause of metabolic disease. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) doctors on blood stasis in metabolic disease. Methods: An email with a link to an online survey was sent by the Association of Korean Medicine to all registered TKM doctors in October 2018. The questionnaire was developed and piloted by four Korean medicine doctors and included items on KMDs’ demographic characteristics, their perceptions on blood stasis and current treatment. Results: Of the 908 TKM doctors participating in the survey, 836 (92.1 %) reported that they thought metabolic disease was highly associated with blood stasis or that blood stasis was the cause of metabolic disease. Most frequently reported to be associated with blood stasis was vascular disease (n = 405, 44.6 %). Over three quarters of respondents thought that herbal medicine combined with conventional medication was good for managing blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids (n = 724, 79.7 %). The higher cost compared to conventional drugs (n = 463, n = 51.0 %) was thought to be the reason that Korean medicine was not being used for the treatment of metabolic disease. Gyejibongnyeong-hwan and Cardiotonic pills were chosen as the appropriate herbal medicines for treating metabolic diseases as they were covered under herbal medicine insurance. Conclusions: This study suggests that further blood stasis research is required, particularly clinical studies in order to determine the strength of the association between blood stasis and metabolic diseases.