Distribution of traditional Persian medicine stomach dystemperaments in patients with functional dyspepsia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is characterized by one or more of the four bothersome symptoms of postprandial fullness, early satiety, epigastric pain, and epigastric burning. FD is divided into two subtypes: postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome which are overlapping in some cases. Complementary and alternative medicine therapy has been frequently used to improve FD. In Persian medicine, temperament plays a fundamental role in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders. This study aimed to evaluate association between body temperament, stomach dystemperament, and FD subtypes. Methods120 patients aged 20 to 60 years with a clinical diagnosis of FD given by a gastroenterologist were enroled in this cross-sectional study. FD subgroups and symptoms were evaluated via symptom severity and symptom frequency scales. The body temperament was assessed via the Salmannejad questionnaire, and the stomach dystemperament was determined by three Persian medicine specialists. Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, likelihood ratio, and linear-by-linear tests were used for evaluating the correlations between the variables. ResultsThe wet body temperament was significantly higher in women than men (P = 0.021). No significant association was observed between body temperament and FD subtypes (P > 0.05). Cold-wet stomach dystemperaments were significantly associated with postprandial distress syndrome (P < 0.001). Beside, cold-dry and hot-dry dystemperaments showed significant associations with epigastric pain syndrome (P < 0.001). Only two symptoms of postprandial fullness (P = 0.001) and early satiety (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with cold-wet stomach dystemperament. ConclusionA significant association was observed between stomach dystemperaments and FD subtypes.