THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE BODY CONSTITUTIONS AND THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DEPRESSION AMONG ELDERLY IN PATIENTS IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE HOSPITAL OF THUA THIEN HUE

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the distribution of Traditional Medicine (TM) body constitutions, examine the factors associated with depression among elderly inpatients in Traditional Medicine Hospital of Thua Thien Hue, and further contribute to enhancing the value of traditional medicine theory's quintessence in preventing depression in medical facilities and in the community. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study of 420 elderly inpatients in Traditional Medicine Hospital of Thua Thien Hue from July 2022 to March 2024, screening for depression, using the Geriatric Depression Scale 30 items (GDS-30) and determining the TM body constitutions, using the Constitution in Traditional Medicine questionnaire (CCMQ). The multiple logistic regression model was applied to examine the factors associated with depression. Results: The proportion of the balanced constitution was the lowest (0%). Among the unbalanced constitutions, the highest proportion was the Phlegm-dampness constitution (70.2%), followed by Qi stagnation constitution (66.9%), Yin deficiency constitution (62.6%), Blood-stasis constitution (58.3%), Qi deficiency constitution (56.6%), Dampness-heat constitution (46.9%), Inherited-special constitution (38.8%) and the lowest was Yang deficiency constitution (31.9%). The higher odds of depression were observed in Qi stagnation constitution (p < 0.001, OR = 5.787, 95%CI: 3.275 – 10.227), Qi deficiency constitution (p < 0.001, OR = 4.369, 95%CI: 2.643 – 7.222), Yang deficiency constitution (p < 0.001, OR = 3.682, 95%CI: 2.097 – 6.277), Gender (p < 0.001, OR = 3.451, 95%CI: 1.980 – 6.017), Dampness-heat constitution (p < 0.001, OR = 2.534, 95%CI: 1.545 – 4.156), Inherited-special constitution (p = 0.003, OR = 2.160, 95%CI: 1.302 – 3.584) and Yin deficiency constitution (p = 0.028, OR = 1.771, 95%CI: 1.064 – 2.948). Conclusion: This study indicated the distributions of TM body constitutions and the factors associated with depression among elderly inpatients in Traditional Medicine Hospital of Thua Thien Hue. Therefore, the assessment of the TM body constitutions contributes to the prevention strategy and early detection of depression in the health facilities as well as in the community.