Blood Stasis Constitution Research Articles

Correlation Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Metabolic Indexes in General Physical Examination People.

Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution type general medical patients and the relationship between the metabolic index. A cohort of 1,029 general individuals who underwent a physical examination at the Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine for identification of their TCM constitution between January 2021 and April 2023 were included in this study. Their data were sorted and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS26.0 statistical software. Among the 1029 study participants, the balanced constitution (BC) type was the most prevalent (33.24%), and the blood stasis constitution (BSC) type was the least prevalent (2.62%). Compared with BC, phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC) (P=0.000), yang-deficiency constitution (YADC) (P=0.000) and BSC (P=0.008) had significant differences in body mass index (BMI) (P<α). The systolic blood pressure (SBP) of PDC was different (P=0.042, P<α). There was a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure (P=0.001, P<α). The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of YADC was significantly different (P=0.001, P<α). Yin-deficiency constitution (YIDC) (P = 0.007) and YADC differences between fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P = 0.025) were significantly (P<α). There were significant differences in uric acid (UA) of YADC (P=0.000), BSC (P=0.004), PDC (P=0.007) and qi-stagnation constitution (QSC) (P=0.012, P<α). The triglyceride (TG) of YADC (P=0.000) and PDC (P=0.005) were significantly different (P<α). There was a difference in total cholesterol (TC) between PDC (P=0.046) and BC (P<α). BSC (P = 0.028) and PDC (P = 0.023) of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) also had a significant difference (P<α). People with PDC, YADC and BSC had more abnormal metabolic indexes than people with BC, and the metabolic indexes of people with YIDC constitution were different from those with BC. Individuals with these four TCM constitution types should pay attention to making appropriate changes in lifestyles and dietary habits and take required measures to prevent the incidence and development of metabolic diseases.

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

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 &lt; 0.001, OR = 5.787, 95%CI: 3.275 – 10.227), Qi deficiency constitution (p &lt; 0.001, OR = 4.369, 95%CI: 2.643 – 7.222), Yang deficiency constitution (p &lt; 0.001, OR = 3.682, 95%CI: 2.097 – 6.277), Gender (p &lt; 0.001, OR = 3.451, 95%CI: 1.980 – 6.017), Dampness-heat constitution (p &lt; 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.

Effects of Practicing Baduanjin on Cognitive Function and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution for Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study investigated changes in cognitive function and Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution (TCMC) over 3 months among 30 individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The participants were divided into an intervention group practicing Baduanjin and a control group. Before the intervention, biased constitution was more prevalent than balanced constitution, with a notable prevalence of yang-deficiency constitution (40.7%), blood stasis constitution (33.3%), and yin-deficiency constitution (29.6%)

Uric acid, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and their ratio are related to microbial enterotypes and serum metabolites in females with a blood stasis constitution

BackgroundBlood stasis constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is believed to render individuals more susceptible to metabolic diseases. However, the biological underpinnings of this constitutional imbalance remain unclear.MethodsThis study explored the association between blood stasis constitution, serum metabolic markers including uric acid (UA), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), their ratio (UHR), serum metabolites, and gut microbiota. Clinical data, fecal and serum samples were acquired from 24 individuals with a blood stasis constitution and 80 individuals with a balanced constitution among healthy individuals from Guangdong. Gut microbiota composition analysis and serum metabolomics analysis were performed.ResultsFemales with a blood stasis constitution had higher UA levels, lower HDLC levels, and higher UHR in serum, suggesting a higher risk of metabolic abnormalities. Analysis of the gut microbiome revealed two distinct enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides or Prevotella. Intriguingly, blood stasis subjects were disproportionately clustered within the Bacteroides-rich enterotype. Metabolomic analysis identified subtle differences between the groups, including lower phenylalanine and higher trimethylaminoacetone levels in the blood stasis. Several differential metabolites displayed correlations with HDLC, UA, or UHR, unveiling potential new markers of metabolic dysregulation.ConclusionsThese findings elucidate the intricate interplay between host constitution, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites. The concept of blood stasis offers a unique perspective to identify subtle alterations in microbiome composition and metabolic pathways, potentially signaling underlying metabolic vulnerability, even in the presence of ostensibly healthy profiles. Continued investigation of this TCM principle may reveal critical insights into the early biological processes that foreshadow metabolic deterioration.

Study on the related factors of TCM constitution and hemodynamics in patients with coronary heart disease.

The concepts of "individualization" and "preventive treatment" should be incorporated into the precise diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). Both hemodynamics and Chinese medicine constitution studies align with these two concepts. This study utilized data from 81 patients with CHD, including 12 patients with balanced constitution (BC), 20 patients with blood stasis constitution (BSC), 17 patients with phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC), 15 patients with qi-deficiency constitution (QDC), and 17 patients with other constitutions. Clinical data provided information on the patients' blood property, heart function, degree of coronary stenosis, coronary hemodynamics, and so on. These parameters were compared between patients with balanced constitution vs. biased constitutions as well as between those with blood stasis constitution, phlegm-dampness constitution, and qi-deficiency constitution. Compared to biased constitution (BC), patients with balanced constitution exhibited lower total cholesterol (TC) levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Additionally, they had lighter stenosis degrees in the Left anterior descending branch (LAD) and Left circumflex branch (LCX) branches. The hemodynamic condition of the LAD and LCX was better for those with balanced constitution; however there was no difference in heart function. Among the groups categorized by blood stasis, phlegm dampness or qi deficiency constituions, patients classified under phlegm dampness had higher levels of LDL compared to those classified under blood stasis or qi deficiency, while patients classified under qi deficiency had higher levels of blood glucose compared to those classified under blood stasis or phlegm dampness. Hemodynamic environments also differed among the LAD and LCX for each group but there were no significant differences observed in heart function or degree of coronary stenosis among these three groups. The balanced constitution demonstrates superior blood property, degree of coronary artery stenosis, and coronary hemodynamics compared to the biased constitution. Furthermore, among the three constitutions with CHD, variations in blood property and certain hemodynamic parameters are observed. These findings emphasize the significant clinical value of incorporating physical factors into the diagnosis and treatment of patients with CHD.

Chinese Medicine Constitution that Influences Sleep Quality and Fatigue among Chinese Nurses Working in Shifts in Japan and China

Nurses who work in shifts may face poor sleep quality and oppressive fatigue. The purpose of this study was to clarify Chinese medicine constitution that influences sleep quality and fatigue among Chinese nurses engaged in shift work. Considering that these conditions might differ according to living environments, studies were conducted both in Japan and China. Data were gathered using the attributes of nurses, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate sleep quality, the Jikaku-sho shirabe to evaluate fatigue, and the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire, which evaluates Chinese medicine constitution according to nine criteria. The survey was conducted via internet, with data analyzed from 100 Chinese subjects in Japan and 100 Chinese subjects in China. Increase in age, living in China, Qi-deficiency constitution and Blood-stasis constitution were causal factors for lower sleep quality. Sleep quality was significantly lower among nurses in China than those in Japan. The following factors were observed to be causal factors for increased fatigue: longer histories of working in shifts, living in Japan, poorer quality sleep, Qi-deficiency constitution, Yang- and Yin-deficiency constitution, Qi-stagnation constitution and Inherited special constitution. Nurses in Japan showed significantly greater fatigue at the end of a night shift than did those in China. It is suggested that adjustments of Qi-deficiency constitution and Blood-stasis constitution can improve sleep quality in nurses who work in shifts. We believe that improving sleep quality and making adjustments to the five types of Chinese medicine constitution can work to reduce fatigue.

Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution types of high-normal blood pressure: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveWe determined the distribution of constitutional types of high-normal blood pressure in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and provided evidence for the prevention of high-normal blood pressure and hypertension. MethodsEight digital databases were searched from January 2011 to November 2022, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, CNKI, CBM, Wangfang, and CQVIP. We performed a meta-analysis with the random-effects model or fixed-effects model to describe the distribution of constitutional types of high-normal blood pressure in TCM. The studies were assessed based on heterogeneity testing and the potential for publication bias. The meta-analysis was performed on Stata software 15.0. ResultsA total of 17 studies with 8118 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The proportion of the biased constitution (82.3%; 95% CI: 75.6%–89.1%, p < 0.001) was higher than the balanced constitution (17.3%; 95% CI: 10.7–23.8%, p < 0.001). Phlegm-dampness constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and damp-heat constitution accounted for 16.0% (95%CI: 10.5–21.5%, p < 0.001), 14.8% (95% CI: 11.0–18.6%, p < 0.001), 11.3% (95% CI: 8.0–14.5%, p < 0.001) of the total high-normal blood pressure cases, respectively. The subgroup analyses performed that region, age and gender were positively associated with the distribution of constitution types of high-normal blood pressure in TCM. Compared with the general population, the risk of high-normal blood pressure in people with the phlegm-dampness constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and blood-stasis constitution was 2.665 (95%CI: 2.286–3.106, p < 0.001), 2.378 (95%CI: 1.197–4.724, p = 0.013), 1.965 (95%CI: 1.634–2.363, p < 0.001) times of the general population, respectively. Meanwhile, the risk of high-normal blood pressure was lower in people with a balanced constitution (0.248, 95%CI: 0.165–0.372, p < 0.001). ConclusionsPhlegm-dampness constitution, Yin-deficiency constitution, and damp-heat constitution were the common constitution types of high-normal blood pressure. There might also be differences in the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution among people with high-normal blood pressure in different regions, ages, and genders. Finally, a balanced constitution might be a protective factor for hypertensive people.

The Correlation between Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution and Hyperuricemia and Gout: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

To investigate the correlation between the constitution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout. Databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine Disc (CBMdisc), PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Excerpta Medical Database (Embase) were searched to collect observational studies about TCM constitution in HUA and gout from inception to November 21, 2021. The distribution of TCM constitution types in HUA and gout patients was presented by proportion, while the correlation was presented by odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. Meta-analysis was performed using StataCorp Stata (STATA) version 16.0 software. Twenty-one cross-sectional studies and 10 case-control studies involving 38028 samples were included, among which 27526 patients were diagnosed with HUA and 2048 patients with gout. Phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC), damp-heat constitution (DHC), and qi-deficiency constitution (QDC) are the most common types, accounting for 24% (20%-27%), 22% (16%-27%), and 15% (12%-18%), respectively, in HUA patients, while DHC, PDC, and blood stasis constitution (BSC) accounted for 28% (18%-39%), 23% (17%-29%), and 11% (8%-15%), respectively, in gout patients. PDC and DHC were the main constitution types in patients with HUA or gout in south China, east China, north China, southwest China, northwest China, and northeast China. There was no difference in the distribution of PDC and QDC in male or female patients with HUA, while males with DHC in HUA were more common than females. The proportion of PDC or DHC among HUA patients was 1.93 times and 2.14 times higher than that in the general population (OR and 95% CI: 1.93 (1.27, 2.93), 2.14 (1.47, 3.13)), while the proportions of PDC, DHC, and BSC were 3.59 times, 4.85 times, and 4.35 times higher than that of the general groups (OR and 95% CI: 3.59 (1.65, 7.80), 4.85 (1.62, 14.57), and 4.35(2.33, 8.11)). PDC, DHC, and QDC are the main constitution types of patients with HUA, while PDC and QDC may be the risk factors for HUA. DHC, PDC, and BSC are the main constitution types of patients with gout, and they may be the risk factors for gout. In clinical and scientific research, more attention should be paid to the relationship between the above-mentioned TCM constitution in HUA or gout. Nevertheless, because the quality of the included observational studies is low, more prospective cohort studies related to TCM constitution and HUA or gout can be carried out to verify the causality between TCM constitution and HUA or gout.

Screening influencing factors of blood stasis constitution in traditional Chinese medicine

ObjectiveTo study the influencing factors of blood stasis constitution and provide a basis for treating blood stasis-related diseases by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution identification. MethodsData were collected using the self-developed TCM constitution identification platform based on B/S model by the project team. The obtained data were divided into blood stasis constitution and normal constitution groups. The differences of the categorical type influencing factors (gender, birth mode, feeding mode within four months of birth, family history, marital status, eating habits, sleeping habits, exercise habits, emotional state, stress situation, and living environment) and the quantitative type influencing factors (sleep time, age, and mother's age at birth) on the constitution of the two groups were analyzed. In the single-factor analysis, the Pearson's chi-square test was selected for the categorical variable, and the independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test were selected for the quantitative variables according to whether they conformed to the positive-terrestrial distribution; the binary logistic stepwise regression method was selected for the multi-factor analysis. ResultsThe data of 318 cases were collected from the TCM composition identification platform, and 159 cases of blood stasis constitution were used as the experimental group and 159 cases of normal constitution were used as the control group. The Pearson's chi-square test yielded significant differences (P < 0.05) in the effects of gender, pressure situation, family history, living environment, emotional state, exercise habits, and dietary habits on blood stasis constitution. The independent samples t test yielded differences in sleep duration between the blood stasis constitution and normal constitution populations (P < 0.05), which meant sleep duration of the blood stasis constitution population was less than that of the normal constitution population. The Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test results accepted the original hypothesis that there was no difference in the distribution of age and mother’s age at birth across constitution types (P > 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that gender, family history, marital status, living environment, exercise habits, and emotional state were risk factors for blood stasis constitution (P < 0.05). ConclusionGender, family history, living environment, emotional state, and exercise habits were significant influencing factors of blood stasis constitution. Blood stasis constitution populations can pay more attention to these influencing factors in their daily life for the prevention and reconciliation of blood stasis constitution.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Identification Based on Objective Facial and Tongue Features: A Delphi Study and a Diagnostic Nomogram for Blood Stasis Constitution.

Objective The aim of this study was to systematically summarize and form an expert consensus on the theoretical experience of tongue and facial features for the identification of nine types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution. Additionally, we sought to explore the feasibility of TCM constitution identification through objective tongue and facial features. Methods We used Delphi method to investigate the opinions of experts on facial and tongue feature items for identifying TCM constitution. We developed and validated a diagnostic nomogram for blood stasis constitution (BSC) based on objective facial and tongue features to demonstrate the reliability of expert consultation. Results Eleven experts participated in two rounds of expert consultation. The recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultation were 100.0% and 90.9%. After the first round, 39 items were screened out from 147 initial items, and 2 items were supplemented by experts. In the second round, 7 items were eliminated, leaving 34 items for 8 types of TCM constitution. The coefficient of variation in the first round was 0.11–0.49 for the 147 items and 0.11–0.29 for the included items. The coefficient of variation in the second round was 0.10–0.27 for the 41 items and 0.10–0.20 for the included items. The W value was 0.548 (P < 0.001) in the first round and 0.240 (P < 0.001) in the second round. Based on expert consultation, we selected BSC as an example and developed and validated a diagnostic nomogram consisting of six indicators: sex, hair volume, lip color-dark purple, susceptibility-facial pigmentation/chloasma/ecchymosis, zygomatic texture-red blood streaks, and sublingual vein-varicose and dark purple. The nomogram showed good discrimination (AUC: 0.917 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.877–0.956] for the primary dataset, 0.902 [95% CI, 0.828–0.976] for the validation dataset) and good calibration. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the nomogram was clinically useful. Conclusion This is the first study to systematically summarize the existing knowledge and clinical experience to form an expert consensus on the tongue and facial features of nine types of TCM constitution. Our results will provide important prior knowledge and expert experience for future constitution identification research. Based on expert consultation, this study presents a nomogram for BSC that incorporates objective facial and tongue features, which can be conveniently used to facilitate the individualized identification of BSC.

Onset and Recurrence Characteristics of Chinese Patients with Noncardiogenic Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Medicine Hospital.

To delineate the onset and recurrence characteristics of noncardiogenic ischemic stroke patients in China. A prospective, multicenter and registry study was carried out in 2,558 patients at 7 representative clinical sub-centers during November 3, 2016 to February 17, 2019. A questionnaire was used to collect information of patients regarding CM syndromes and constitutions and associated risk factors. Additionally, stroke recurrence was defined as a primary outcome indicator. A total of 327 (12.78 %) patients endured recurrence events, 1,681 (65.72%) were men, and the average age was 63.33 ± 9.45 years. Totally 1,741 (68.06%) patients suffered first-ever ischemic stroke, 1,772 (69.27%) patients reported to have hypertension, and 1,640 (64.11%) of them reported dyslipidemia, 1,595 (62.35%) patients exhibited small-artery occlusion by The Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification. Specifically, 1,271 (49.69%) patients were considered as qi-deficient constitution, and 1,227 (47.97%) patients were determined as stagnant blood constitution. There were 1,303 (50.94%) patients diagnosed as blood stasis syndrome, 1,280 (50.04%) patients exhibited phlegm and dampness syndrome and 1,012 (39.56%) patients demonstrated qi deficiency syndrome. And 1,033 (40.38%) patients declared intracranial artery stenosis, and 478 (18.69%) patients reported carotid artery stenosis. The plaque in 1,508 (41.36%) patients were of mixed. Particularly, 41.09% of them demonstrated abnormal levels of glycated hemoglobin levels. Recurrence in minor and small-artery stroke cannot be ignored. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, abnormal HbA1c, intracranial artery stenosis and carotid plaque were more common in stroke patients. Particularly, phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndromes, as well as qi deficiency and blood stasis constitutions, were still the main manifestations of stroke. (Trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT03174535).

Blood Stasis Constitution and Depression Among Chinese Female College Students: a Longitudinal Moderation Model

Blood Stasis Constitution and Depression Among Chinese Female College Students: a Longitudinal Moderation Model

Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Correlated with Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution and ischemic stroke (IS). Methods Literature search was conducted in databases including Wanfang database, Chongqing VIP, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Embase, and PubMed from inception to November 16, 2020. Observational studies evaluating the association between TCM body constitution and IS were included for analysis. The distribution of body constitutional types in IS patients was pooled into meta-analysis. The correlation between constitution and IS was presented by the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI through the comparison between IS and the general population. Results 41 studies involving 11,211 participants were included. Among the nine constitution types, qi-deficiency constitution (QDC), phlegm-dampness constitution (PDC), and blood stasis constitution (BSC) are the common types, accounting for 25% [0.22, 0.29], 23% [0.20, 0.29], and 17% [0.13, 0.22], respectively, in IS patients. The proportion of PDC and QDC among IS patients is 2.34 times and 3.47 times higher than that in the general population, respectively (OR and 95% CI: 2.34 [1.39, 3.94], 3.47 [1.61, 7.50], respectively). Conclusion PDC and QDC are the common constitutions in IS patients and may have a potential correlation with the incidence of IS. Due to the low or moderate quality of included studies, more well-designed prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the relationship between TCM constitutions and IS.

Etiology Exploration of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease From Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Perspective: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: From the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution theory perspective, the phlegm-dampness constitution is thought to be closely related to the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, this viewpoint still lacks rigorous statistical evidence. This study aimed to test the association between the phlegm-dampness constitution and NAFLD.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Participants were residents living in Chengdu, China, undergoing health checkups at the health management center of Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between December 2018 and September 2020. TCM constitution type was diagnosed by DAOSH four examinations instrument, NAFLD was diagnosed according to the liver ultrasonography and medical history. Multivariate logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to analyze a total of 1,677 qualified data.Results: 1,037 participants had biased constitution(s), 67.8% of which had mixed constitutions (with at least two constitutions). Among 1,677 participants, the phlegm-dampness constitution was associated with the yang-deficiency, yin-deficiency, dampness-heat, qi-depression, and blood-stasis constitutions. The correlation coefficients were 0.11, 0.32, 0.42, 0.20, 0.14, respectively. Between the phlegm-dampness constitution and NAFLD, the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 2.05 (1.57–2.69) in the crude model. After adjusting for age, gender, Body mass index (BMI), other biased constitutions, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, the OR reduced to 1.51 (1.04–2.18). The associations of seven other biased TCM constitutions and NAFLD were not statistically significant in the fully adjusted model. The PSM analysis showed consistent results with the logistic regression.Conclusions: Among eight biased TCM constitutions, the phlegm-dampness constitution is independently associated with NAFLD. We speculate the phlegm-dampness constitution is a risk factor of NAFLD. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this causal relationship in the future. In addition, inconsistent with some TCM practitioners' experience, we disagree that the blood-stasis constitution is associated with NAFLD.

Clinical study on traditional Chinese medicine constitution types and CYP2C19 gene polymorphism in acute cerebral infarction

Objective To investigate the correlation between Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution classification and clopidogrel-related CYP2C19 gene polymorphism of acute cerebral infarction patients. Methods A cross-sectional method was used in this study. Patients with acute cerebral infarction were screened and enrolled according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. TCM constitution were evaluated in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Digital fluorescence hybridization Technology was used to test genotypes of CYP2C19 and Hardy-Weinberg’s equilibrium was used to examine CYP2C19 gene polymorphism of the patients. Binary logistic regression analysis method was used to explore the relationship between TCM constitution types and clopidogrel-related CYP2C19 gene polymorphism in acute cerebral infarction. Results Among the 100 patients with acute cerebral infarction, 18 belong to Yang-deficiency constitution (18 cases, 18%), 30 Yin-deficiency (30 cases, 30%), 18 belong to Qi-deficiency constitution (18 cases, 18%), 51 belong to phlegm-dampness constitution(51 cases, 51%), 14 belong to damp-heat constitution (14 cases, 14%), 2 belong to special constitution (2 cases, 2%), blood-stasis constitution (27 cases, 27%), Qi stagnation constitution (4 cases, 4%), and normal constitution (11 cases, 11%). The CYP2C19*2 gene polymorphism distribution: CYP2C19*2 (A/A, mutant homozygous) (21 cases, 21%), CYP2C19*2 (A/G, mutant heterozygote) (33 cases, 33%), CYP2C19*2 (G/G) (normal homozygous) (46 cases, 46%). The mutant allele frequency was 0.375. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that compared with A/A genotype, the G/G genotype of CYP2C19*2 in acute cerebral infarction was correlated with phlegm-dampness constitution (OR=5.105, 95% CI: 1.308-19.928, P<0.05) and blood-stasis constitution (OR=12.557, 95% CI: 1.741-90.558, P<0.05). Conclusions The proportion of phlegm-dampness constitution is the highest in patients with acute cerebral infarction. The mutation rate of clopidogrel-related CYP2C19*2 was significantly higher than that of CYP2C19*3 clopidogrel-related CYP2C19*2 gene polymorphism might be related to phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution. Key words: Brain infarction; Constitutional type (TCM); Clopidogrel; CYP2C19 gene polymorphism; Cross-sectional study

Correlation between Tibetan and traditional Chinese medicine body constitutions: A cross-sectional study of Tibetan college students in the Tibet Autonomous Region

Abstract Objective To evaluate the correlation between the body constitution types of Tibetan medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Methods The cluster sampling method was employed to recruit participants from a university in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Tibetan medicine and TCM questionnaires were respectively used to assess the participants' constitution information. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the baseline and constitution characteristics of the participants. Two-factor correlation analysis and the paired chi-square test were applied to analyze the correlation between Tibetan and TCM constitution types. Results Data from 466 Tibetan students were analyzed. The mean scores of the rlung, mkhris pa, and bad kan constitution types in Tibetan medicine were 43.2 (11.1), 42.1 (10.1), and 45.0 (8.0), respectively; participants with the three-factor convergence body constitution type accounted for 13.7% of the whole population. Among the TCM constitution types, qi stagnation was the most common (21.5%), followed by the balance type (16.5%); the other constitutions detected were qi deficiency, yin deficiency, and yang deficiency. The rate of consistency for the identification of the three-factor convergence constitution in Tibetan medicine and the balance constitution in TCM was 89.1%, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.57 (P > .05). The rlung constitution in Tibetan medicine was associated with the yin deficiency, yang deficiency, and blood stasis constitutions in TCM. The mkhris pa constitution in Tibetan medicine was associated with the damp heat and yin deficiency constitutions in TCM. The bad kan constitution in Tibetan medicine was associated with the phlegm dampness, qi deficiency, and yin deficiency constitutions in TCM. Conclusion There is a correlation between the body constitution types of Tibetan medicine and TCM. The reliability and validity of the Questionnaire for Tibetan Medicine Constitution requires improvement, and more studies with larger sample sizes and more varied populations are warranted to verify the correlation between Tibetan medicine and TCM constitutions.

Clinical female nurses' five-tone distribution and analysis of traditional Chinese medicine constitution

Objective To explore the five-tone distribution of clinical female nurses and the constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) . Methods Totally 300 clinical female nurses from a Class Ⅲ Grade A hospital were selected. Zhiji Wenyin identification evaluator (KY3H) was used to identify their five tones, and the TCM Constitution Classification and Identification Scale developed by China Association of Chinese Medicine was used to identify their TCM constitution. The five-tone distribution and TCM constitution were compared between the nurses with different ages, job categories and shifts. Results The tones of Jue, Zhi and Yu accounted for 39%, 34% and 21.4% respectively of the five-tone distribution in the 300 clinical female nurses. Divided by age, the tone of Yu was more often found in the younger group, while the tone of Jue had a larger share in the older group (χ2=13.014, 4.719; P<0.05) . The tones of Yu and Jue were more often found in the night shift group than in the day shift group (χ2=5.902, 3.985; P<0.05) . As for the TCM constitution, the mildly, yang-insufficiency, qi-stagnation and damp-heat constitutions accounted for 31.33%, 21.67%, 11.67% and 11.00%, respectively. The nurses in the internal medicine group showed a higher proportion of qi-stagnation and blood-stasis constitutions than the nurses in the surgery group (χ2=6.478, 5.902; P<0.05) . The nurses in the day shift group showed a higher proportion of mildly constitution than the nurses in the night shift group, while the nurses in the night shift group showed a higher proportion of qi-insufficiency constitution than the nurses in the day shift group (χ2=6.210, 5.270; P<0.05) . The tone of Zhi had the largest share in the nurses with the qi-insufficiency constitution (P=0.002) , while the nurses with the qi-stagnation constitution had the least share among the nurses with the tone of Yu (P=0.045) . Conclusions The characteristics of five-tone distribution and TCM constitution of clinical female nurses may be affected by their age and job category. Key words: Nurses; Five tones correlated with five zang viscera; Constitution identification; The Canon of Internal Medicine

Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy for insomnia in blood stasis constitution: a clinical study

To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution. Seventy-two patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using the random number table, 36 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy, while the control group was intervened by oral administration of estazolam. One-week treatment was taken as a course, for 3 successive courses in total. A follow-up study was conducted 3 months later. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was evaluated before and after the intervention, as well as in the follow-up. The clinical efficacies were also compared. The total effective rate was 88.9% in the treatment group versus 83.3% in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After the intervention, the PSQI scores dropped significantly in both groups (both P<0.05); the between-group difference in PSQI score was statistically significant (P<0.05). The follow-up study showed that the between-group difference in the global score of PSQI was statistically significant (P<0.05). Acupuncture plus bloodletting therapy can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of estazolam in treating insomnia in people with blood stasis constitution.

The Interaction Effect between Blood Stasis Constitution and Atherosclerotic Factors on Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People.

Objective Blood stasis (BS) constitution represents a tendency to stagnation and positively associates with the severity of atherosclerosis. In this study, we have identified the interaction effect between BS constitution and atherosclerosis on cognitive impairment in the elderly people. Methods Eligible elderly people ≥65 years old who attended physical examination in the Mawei community of Fuzhou city during 2015 were enrolled in this study. We explored the characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution and atherosclerotic factors in the normal and cognitive impairment groups and their interaction effect between participants' Minimental State Examination (MMSE) scores in the elderly people. Results The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the elderly people was 13.0%. Red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), ankle brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV), and blood stasis (BS) were significantly different between normal and cognitive impairment group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that RBC (odds ratio (OR)=0.530 (0.343-0.817), P=0.004), HB (OR=0.980 (0.967-0.993), P=0.003), ABI (OR=2.199(1.112-4.347), P=0.023), and blood stasis constitution (OR=1.808 (1.022-3.202), P=0.042) were correlated with cognitive impairment. The interactions of blood stasis with HB, ABI, and BaPWV significantly impacted the MMSE score (P<0.05). Conclusion Elderly individuals with blood stasis may be at a higher risk of arterial stenosis and sclerosis, leading to susceptibility to cognitive impairment.

Study on the distribution of Chinese medicine constitutions of hypertension complicated diabetes in Xianyang

Objective To investigate the distribution of TCM Constitution in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus by means of cross-sectional study. Methods A total of 150 hypertension patients from Shaanxi university of traditional Chinese medicine and Xianyang central hospital were selected from year 2014-2015, and were divided into two groups, including 62 patients complicated with diabetes, as the observation group; 88 patients without diabetes, as the control group. The distribution of TCM Constitution in the two groups was compared. Results The proportion of Yin deficiency constitution, phlegm dampness constitution in the observation group was relatively high, but the proportion of Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency in the control group was relatively high. Compared with the female patients, the proportion of Yin deficiency constitution, phlegm dampness constitution and blood stasis constitution of the male patients was higher, while the Qi depression constitution and the proportion of the specific physical constitution were relatively low, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 value were 4.408, 3.723, 3.723, 3.964, 3.893, P value were 0.036, 0.044, 0.044, 0.046, 0.039). The factors like gender, age, BMI, alcohol intake, history of coronary heart disease, diet and taste preference were correlated with the physical types (B value were 1.967, 0.089, 0.017, -0.871, -0.959, -0.014, P<0.01 or P<0.05), and the taste preference and history of coronary heart disease posed a negative correlation with all types of constitution. Conclusions The types of TCM Constitution in hypertensive patients with diabetes are mainly Yin deficiency and phlegm dampness, and the patients with hypertension are the deficiency of Qi and Yin deficiency. The gender, age, BMI, alcohol consumption, coronary heart disease, and dietary preferences can influence the physical type of constitution. Key words: Hypertension; Diabetes mellitus; Physical constitution theory; Surveys and questionnaires