Chinese Medicine Questionnaire Research Articles

Investigation of traditional Chinese medicine constitution in individuals afflicted by dry eye disease: A retrospective study.

The aim of this study is to explore the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution among individuals suffering from dry eye disease. Following the diagnostic criteria outlined in TFO DEWS II, a total of 114 patients with dry eye were included in this study. Based on the classification criteria for dry eye, the patients were categorized into 3 distinct dry eye subtypes. Each participant underwent a thorough clinical assessment for dry eye, and their TCM pattern manifestations were assessed using the "Traditional Chinese Medicine Questionnaire for Dry Eye." The Nine Constitutions Assessment Method was utilized for TCM pattern differentiation and classification. Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to investigate the associations between TCM constitution and dry eye subtypes, clinical indicators, and the relationships between TCM syndromes and dry eye subtypes. Among the 114 patients, the Qi-Stagnation constitution was the most common, with variations in constitution distribution among different dry eye subtypes. Significant correlations were observed between the Blood-Stasis, Yin-Deficiency, Qi-Deficiency, and Yang-Deficiency constitutions and 2, 4, 1, and 4 dry eye indicators, respectively. Spearman's analysis revealed that 5 out of 50 TCM syndromes were associated with mixed dry eye, 5 with evaporative dry eye, and 3 with aqueous tear deficiency dry eye. Further analysis, using lasso regression and binary unconditional logistic regression identified dizziness, lumbago, and weakness as influencing factors for both mixed-type and evaporative-type dry eye. In this study, we extensively examined the TCM constitution in individuals with dry eye, offering valuable insights and guiding future TCM-related research in the context of dry eye. Additionally, we established correlations between TCM syndrome patterns and dry eye indicators.

Machine learning-assisted rapid determination for traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution

The aim of this study was to develop a machine learning-assisted rapid determination methodology for traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution. Based on the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ), the most applied diagnostic instrument for assessing individuals’ constitutions, we employed automated supervised machine learning algorithms (i.e., Tree-based Pipeline Optimization Tool; TPOT) on all the possible item combinations for each subscale and an unsupervised machine learning algorithm (i.e., variable clustering; varclus) on the whole scale to select items that can best predict body constitution (BC) classifications or BC scores. By utilizing subsets of items selected based on TPOT and corresponding machine learning algorithms, the accuracies of BC classifications prediction ranged from 0.819 to 0.936, with the root mean square errors of BC scores prediction stabilizing between 6.241 and 9.877. Overall, the results suggested that the automated machine learning algorithms performed better than the varclus algorithm for item selection. Additionally, based on an automated machine learning item selection procedure, we provided the top three ranked item combinations with each possible subscale length, along with their corresponding algorithms for predicting BC classification and severity. This approach could accommodate the needs of different practitioners in traditional Chinese medicine for rapid constitution determination.

Objective Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Differentiation of Patients With Diabetes and Prediabetes: Protocol for a Nonrandomized, Exploratory, Observational Case-Control Study Using Digitalized Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnostic Tools.

Diabetes and prediabetes are diagnosed differentially by Western and Chinese medicine. While Western medicine uses objective laboratory analysis of biochemical parameters to define the severity of diabetes and prediabetes, Chinese medicine uses a comprehensive approach that integrates observation, inquiry, pulse palpation, and tongue diagnosis. The medical information collected is then categorized into different syndromes. However, traditional methods of pulse and tongue diagnoses used to determine syndrome differentiation are highly subjective and skill dependent. This study aims to identify the gap in conventional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic techniques for syndrome differentiation analysis using contemporary diagnostic devices. We devised a protocol for a nonrandomized, exploratory, observational case-control study with equal allocations in 5 arms to investigate the syndrome differentiation of diabetes and prediabetes. We hypothesize that the TCM syndrome differentiation of diabetes and prediabetes in the tropical climate may differ from that defined based on the Chinese demographic. We also speculate that the high-frequency spectral energy may reflect a difference in pulse wave intensity and density between the healthy and diabetes groups. A total of 250 eligible participants will be equally assigned to 1 of 5 arms (healthy or subhealthy, prediabetes, diabetes, prediabetes with hypertension and dyslipidemia, and diabetes with hypertension and dyslipidemia). Participants aged 21-75 years, of any sex or race, and have been diagnosed with diabetes (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] of 7 mmol/L, or 2-hour plasma glucose [2hPG] of 11.1 mmol/L) or prediabetes (impaired FPG of 6.1-6.9 mmol/L, or impaired glucose tolerance with an 2hPG of 7.8-11 mmol/L) will be included. The Health Evaluation Questionnaire, Physical Activity Questionnaire, sugar intake assessment, Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire, radial pulse diagnosis, and tongue diagnosis will be performed in a single visit. ANOVA for continuous data and chi-square tests of independence will be used for categorical data assessments, with a level of P<.05 considered significant. The recruitment is in progress. We anticipate that the study will conclude in June 2025. As of July 15, 2024, we have enrolled 140 individuals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use contemporary TCM diagnostic instruments to map expert and empirical knowledge of TCM to its scientific equivalents for the purpose of evaluating the syndrome differentiation of diabetes. We designed this protocol with the exploratory goal to examine objectively the syndrome differentiation of patients with diabetes and those with prediabetes using TCM diagnostic technologies. The data collected and evaluated under standardized conditions using these contemporary diagnostic devices will exhibit a higher degree of stability, hence yielding dependable and unbiased results for syndrome differentiation. Thus, our findings may potentially increase the accuracy of identification, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diabetes and prediabetes through a system of targeted treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05563090; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05563090. DERR1-10.2196/56024.

Constitution identification model in traditional Chinese medicine based on multiple features

ObjectiveTo construct a precise model for identifying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutions, thereby offering optimized guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning, and ultimately enhancing medical efficiency and treatment outcomes. MethodsFirst, TCM full-body inspection data acquisition equipment was employed to collect full-body standing images of healthy people, from which the constitutions were labelled and defined in accordance with the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ), and a dataset encompassing labelled constitutions was constructed. Second, heat-suppression valve (HSV) color space and improved local binary patterns (LBP) algorithm were leveraged for the extraction of features such as facial complexion and body shape. In addition, a dual-branch deep network was employed to collect deep features from the full-body standing images. Last, the random forest (RF) algorithm was utilized to learn the extracted multifeatures, which were subsequently employed to establish a TCM constitution identification model. Accuracy, precision, and F1 score were the three measures selected to assess the performance of the model. ResultsIt was found that the accuracy, precision, and F1 score of the proposed model based on multifeatures for identifying TCM constitutions were 0.842, 0.868, and 0.790, respectively. In comparison with the identification models that encompass a single feature, either a single facial complexion feature, a body shape feature, or deep features, the accuracy of the model that incorporating all the aforementioned features was elevated by 0.105, 0.105, and 0.079, the precision increased by 0.164, 0.164, and 0.211, and the F1 score rose by 0.071, 0.071, and 0.084, respectively. ConclusionThe research findings affirmed the viability of the proposed model, which incorporated multifeatures, including the facial complexion feature, the body shape feature, and the deep feature. In addition, by employing the proposed model, the objectification and intelligence of identifying constitutions in TCM practices could be optimized.

Development and evaluation of short-form version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire: study a new and best brief instrument of Chinese medicine for health management

BackgroundMore efficient instruments for body constitution identification are needed for clinical practice. We aimed to develop the short-form version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) and evaluate for health management.MethodsFirst, the short forms were developed through expert survey, classical test theory (CTT), and modern item response (IRT) based on the CCMQ. A combination of e-mail and manual methods was used in expert survey. Then, five indexes of CTT including criteria value-critical ratio, correlation coefficient, discrete tendency, internal consistency, and factor loading were used. And, IRT method was used through analyzing the discrimination and difficulty parameters of items. Second, the three top-ranked items of each constitution scale were selected for the simplified CCMQ, based on the three combined methods of different conditions and weights. Third, The psychometric properties such as completion time, validity (Construct, criterion, and divergent validity), and reliability (test–retest and internal consistency reliability) were evaluated. Finally, the diagnostic validity of the best short-form used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ResultsThree short-form editions were developed, and retained items 27, 23 and 27, which are named as WangQi nine body constitution questionnaire of Traditional Chinese Medicine (short-form) (SF-WQ9CCMQ)- A, B, and C, respectively. SF-WQ9CCMQ- A is showed the best psychometric property on Construct validity, Criterion validity, test–retest reliability and internal consistency reliability. The diagnostic validity indicated that the area under the ROC curve was 0.928 (95%CI: 0.924–0.932) for the Gentleness constitution scale, and were 0.895–0.969 and 0.911–0.981 for unbalance constitution scales using the cut-off value of the original CCMQ as 40 (“yes” standard) and 30 (“tendency” standard), respectively.ConclusionsOur study successfully developed a well short-form which has good psychometric property, and excellent diagnostic validity consistent with the original. New and simplified instrument and opportunity are provided for body constitution identification, health management and primary care implementation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution among patients with allergic rhinitis and its correlation with anxiety and depression.

To preliminary investigate the distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution among patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and reveal the related factors with anxiety and depression. Between July 2020 and June 2021, specialist doctor recruited AR patients in Beijing and Shanghai. A total of 630 patients admitted to participate in the survey, and 516 (81.9%) (male 54.3%, female 45.7%) participants completed the questionnaires. Three scales including Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and The Patient Health Queationaire-9 (PHQ-9) were applied. The χ2 and the Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the classification data, multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the related factors of anxiety and depression. According to 516 AR patients, the most commonly first-constitution was Yang-deficiency (22.1%) and frequent of all constitutions was inherited-special (21.6%). One third of AR patients (33.5%) suffered from anxiety, nearly half of AR patients (46.5%) were found to be depressive. Inherited-special (27.7%) was the most common constitution in patients with anxiety whereas Yang-deficiency (26.7%) was most common constitution in patients with depression. Sex, duration of symptoms, balanced, Qi-deficiency, phlegm-dampness, Qi-stagnation, and inherited-special constitutions were related with anxiety; Sex, income, duration of symptoms, balanced, Qi-deficiency, Yang-deficiency, phlegm-dampness, Qi-stagnation, and inherited-special constitutions were related with depression. According to our study, the commonly constitution types of AR were Yang-deficiency and inherited-special. We found that the prevalence value of anxiety and depression were high. People with Qi-deficiency, phlegm-dampness, Qi-stagnation, and inherited-special constitutions were more likely to have mental problems than the others. Controlling these influential factors might be beneficial for clinical health management of AR patients, and the government should apply appropriate mental health treatment services to offer psychiatric support.

Associations between traditional Chinese medicine body constitution and obesity risk among US adults.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution (BC), primarily determined by physiological and clinical characteristics, is an important process for clinical diagnosis and treatment and play a critical role in precision medicine in TCM. The purpose of the study was to explore whether the distributions of BC types differed by obesity status. We conducted a study to evaluate BC type in US population during 2012-2016. A total of 191 White participants from Personalized Prevention of Colorectal Cancer Trial (PPCCT) completed a self-administered Traditional Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (TCMQ, English version). In this study, we further compared the distribution of major types of TCM BC in the PPCCT to those Chinese populations stratified by obesity status. We found the Blood-stasis frequency was higher in US White adults, 22.6% for individuals with BMI <30 and 11.2% for obese individuals, compared to 1.4% and 1.8%, respectively, in Chinese populations. We also found the percentages Inherited-special and Qi-stagnation were higher in US White adults than those in Chinese populations regardless of obesity status. However, the proportions of Yang-deficiency were higher in Chinese populations than those in our study conducted in US White adults regardless of obesity status. These new findings indicate the difference in distribution of BC types we observed between US and Chinese populations cannot be explained by the differences in prevalence of obesity. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and understand the potential mechanism including genetic background and/or environmental factors.

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.

Relationship between traditional Chinese medicine constitution and pregnancy outcome in elderly primiparae

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution and pregnancy outcomes in elderly primiparae.Methods: A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on 113 elderly primiparae who were delivered in Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China from January 2019 to December 2019. The elderly primiparae was the study group. Using a random ratio of 1:3, 393 primiparous women of suitable age who were delivered in the hospital at the same period were selected as the control group. A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) questionnaire was used to collect clinical data, and differences between the two groups were compared.Results: The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in the study group (elderl y primiparae) with phlegm dampness constitution and qi stagnation constitution than in control group (appropriate-age primiparae) (p &lt; 0.05). The incidence of hypertension was significantly higher in the study group with yin deficiency constitution and special constitution than in control group (p &lt; 0.05). The frequency of selective cesarean section in study group with a biased qi-deficiency constitution, yang-deficiency constitution, and yin-deficiency constitution were significantly higher than control group (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: There is a correlation between pregnancy outcomes in old age and TCM constitution. Individualized diet and exercise programs may be formulated in early pregnancy (based on the type of physique) to improve pregnancy outcomes in elderly primiparae.

Validation of the English Version Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) among Young Adults in Malaysia

Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) is widely used as a self-administered health instrument. It was used as the guiding tool for prognosis, prevention and treatment of various diseases. This study aims to validate an English version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) in Malaysia, which is comprised of nine domains with a total of 67 questions. The survey was conducted in three phases. Phase one involved translation and adaption where the Chinese version of the survey instrument was translated into the English version. In phase two, a Delphi was used to review, amend and validate the translated English version; and in phase three, 114 subjects (aged 18 to 30 years old) were included in the confirmatory factor analysis to determine its psychometric properties. The construct validity analysis of CCMQ showed a good fit for the hypothesised models. Composite reliability (CR) values ranging from 0.869 to 0.908, and average variance extracted (AVE) values ranged from 0.647 to 0.764, indicating good internal consistency reliability and convergent validity, respectively. The heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations (HTMT) values obtained for all the domains ranging from 0.151 to 0.652, which fulfilled the criteria of discriminant validity. The English version of the CCMQ was the first statistically validated instrument in Malaysia. It is a reliable and valid instrument for traditional Chinese medicine body constitution (TCMBC) study. Future research is needed to validate the CCMQ as a predicting tool in health-related outcome studies.

Association of traditional medicine body constitution types with five chronic diseases in Ho Chi Minh city

ObjectivesTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners use body constitution (BC) in their daily clinical practice. The BC is innate, shaped by the environment, and highly dependent on the intrinsic properties of the human body. The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) is the most frequently used diagnostic tool for physiological BC types. This study aimed to determine the proportion of nine TCM constitution types and comorbidities observed in the Ho Chi Minh City community. MethodsA cross-sectional design was applied to collect data for this study. All the participants were classified as BC types by the CCMQ. ResultsThere were 2127 participants aged from 18 to 90 years old (35.3% were male and 64.7% were female) enrolled in this study. Five comorbidities were observed including hypertension (33.7%), cardiovascular diseases (21.8%), diabetes (19.8%), hyperlipidemia (17.3%) and obesity (13.4%). In participants, the Balanced type was the most common (53.1%). The order of decreasing proportions of the unbalanced types was as follows: Qi-deficiency (20.0%), Qi-depression (15.7%), Blood-stasis (13.0%), Yang-deficiency (10.0%), Phlegm-dampness (9.1%), Yin-deficiency (8.7%), Inherited-special (7.6%), Dampness-heat (7.2%). Hypertension was strongly associated with most of types (except Dampness-heat), Diabetes mellitus was associated with only Qi-deficiency. Obesity had associations with Phlegm-dampness, Dampness-heat, and Blood-stasis. Factors such as gender, age and occupation can cause different BC development. ConclusionsAmong the participants in Ho Chi Minh City, hypertension (33.7%) is the most common comorbidity. Balanced (53.1%) is the majority in BC types. The associations between BC types and ages, genders, jobs, five chronic diseases were different.

Care patterns and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution as factors of depression and anxiety in patients with systemic sclerosis: A cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Care patterns and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution affects the emotion and health of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) while the prevalence of COVID-19 may aggravate such patients' emotion and health. We investigated the depression and anxiety levels of patients with SSc during the pandemic to identify the correlation between care patterns, TCM constitution, and patients' emotion. This was a cross-sectional study. Patients with SSc and healthy individuals were surveyed using the patient health questionnaire-9, generalized anxiety disorder-7, and constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire and a modified care pattern questionnaire. Factors correlated with depression and anxiety were screened using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 273 patients with SSc and 111 healthy individuals were included in the analysis. The proportion of patients with SSc who were depressed was 74.36%, who had anxiety was 51.65%, and who experienced disease progression during the pandemic was 36.99%. The proportion of income reduction in the online group (56.19%) was higher than that in the hospital group (33.33%) (P = 0.001). Qi-deficiency [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.250] and Qi-stagnation (adjusted OR = 3.824) constitutions were significantly associated with depression. Remote work during the outbreak (adjusted OR = 1.920), decrease in income (adjusted OR = 3.556), and disease progression (P = 0.030) were associated with the occurrence of depression. Chinese patients with SSc have a high prevalence of depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the care patterns of Chinese patients with SSc, and work, income, disease progression, and change of medications were correlates of depression or anxiety in patients with SSc. Qi-stagnation and Qi-deficiency constitutions were associated with depression, and Qi-stagnation constitution was associated with anxiety in patients with SSc. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=62301, identifier ChiCTR2000038796.

A study on traditional medicine body constitution types in residential community of District 4, Ho Chi Minh City

Body constitution (BC) is widely applied in daily clinical practice by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners. The BC is innate depending on the intrinsic properties of the human body and is influenced by the environment. The most common diagnostic tool of physiological BC types is the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ). This study was conducted to determine the proportion of nine TCM constitution types and comorbidities observed in the community of District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. A cross-sectional design was applied to collect data for this study. All the participants were classified as BC types by the CCMQ. The collected data were statistically analyzed with the SPSS 22.0 software. There were 436 participants aged from 18 (163 males; 273 females) enrolled in this study from 05/2021 – 06/2021 in District 4. Five comorbidities were observed including hypertension (23.6%), cardiovascular diseases (13.1%), diabetes (11.5%), hyperlipidemia (8.3%) and obesity (4.1%). In participants, the prevalence of nine BC types were Neutral (62.4%), Qi-deficiency (17.2%), Qi-depression (15.6%), Inherited-special (8.9%), Yang-deficiency (8.3%), Blood-stasis (8.0%), Yin-deficiency (7.6%), Phlegm-dampness (6.4%), and Dampness-heat (5.7%). The Qi-deficiency type was significantly associated with ages, genders, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases while the Dampness-heat one was related to gender. Among the participants in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, hypertension (23.6%) is the most common comorbidity. Neutral (62.4%) is the majority in BC types. The associations between BC types and ages, genders, jobs, five chronic diseases were different.

Valid and Convenient Questionnaire Assessment of Chinese Body Constitution: Item Characteristics, Reliability, and Construct Validation.

BackgroundBody constitution is a fundamental concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for clinical diagnosis, treatment of illness, and community-based health promotion. Clinical assessment of patients’ body constitutions, however, has never been easy and consistent, even by well-trained clinicians and TCM practitioners. Therefore, questionnaires such as the popular Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) can be an appealing and convenient assessment alternative. The present research borrowed advanced methodologies for questionnaire development in psychology and other social sciences to examine the performance of the CCMQ in terms of (i) the strength of relations of each item with its designated constitution, (ii) the reliabilities of each constitution, and (iii) the overall 9-constitution structure. This research provided empirical evidence to support the use of the CCMQ and proposed directions for refinement in future revisions of the CCMQ or similar measures.MethodsA total of 1571 volunteers from three villages in southern China participated in the CCMQ survey. The item characteristics, reliabilities, interconstitution correlations, and confirmatory factor analysis of the 9-body-constitution structure were examined.ResultsThe results generally supported the appropriateness of the clinical observations (the questionnaire items) and the CCMQ 9-constitution classification structure. Nevertheless, some relatively weaker items, item pairs with similar meanings, and highly overlapping constitutions were identified for future CCMQ revisions.ConclusionThe CCMQ measured the 9 constitutions efficiently and with reasonably good reliability and construct validity. Given the various challenges to assessing TCM body constitutions even by experienced clinicians, the CCMQ provides an appealing alternative to measure the Chinese body constitutions of healthy participants in large-scale research or community health promotion programs. The present study also demonstrated how advanced methodologies in social sciences can help validate and refine the CCMQ and similar complementary medicine measures.

Revision and validation of the “Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (Elderly Edition)” based on the Delphi process

This study aimed to revise the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (Elderly Edition) (CCMQ-EE), as well as evaluate its reliability and validity. The objective was to provide a more accurate Chinese medicine constitution identification tool for geriatric health management and help further research on the relationship between geriatric diseases and constitution type, etc . The Delphi method and a cross-sectional survey of the elderly population were used. From April to October 2021, experts in different fields were invited to participate in the questionnaire, and items were revised through the experts’ ratings and feedback. From December 2021 to February 2022, the revised CCMQ-EE was validated in the elderly population. The coefficients of variation of rationality and importance scores decreased to less than 0.25 in the third round of Delphi. The Kendall coordination coefficients of rationality and importance in the third round were 0.15 and 0.17 ( P = .031 and P = .007, respectively). The revised CCMQ-EE was established with 34 items. The factor loadings of subscales were between 0.39 and 0.92, and the fitting effects of other subscales were acceptable, except for the inherited special constitution. The Cronbach alpha and test–retest reliability coefficients of each subscale ranged from 0.65 to 0.83, and 0.66 to 0.96, respectively. The composite reliability and average variance extraction were between 0.66 and 0.84, and between 0.32 and 0.57, respectively. The reliability and validity of the revised CCMQ-EE were acceptable or satisfactory. The revised CCMQ-EE was developed through a three-round Delphi process and internal team discussion. After the verification in the elderly in Beijing area, its measurement performance was good. The updated questionnaire can probably replace the initial version to better promote health management and help healthy aging by identifying the constitution type of the elderly.

The Vietnamese version of the constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ): validity and reliability

Body constitution (BC) plays an important role in preserving health and reducing risk of diseases depending on each person’s physical characteristics. Classification of BC is almost based on the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ). In Vietnam, there is still no questionnaire survey to assess the BC. Therefore, this study aims to adapte and validate the Vietnamese version of CCMQ. 2 phases of the study: the first phase constituted the translation with cross-cultural adaptation of CCQM into Vietnamese according to Guillemin et al; the second phase assessed the reliability and validity of the Vietnamese CCMQ version based on a cross-sectional study. Phase 1 formed the final Vietnamese CCMQ version in which face validity and content validity are incorporated. Seven traditional medicine practitioners confirmed the content validity (CVI: 57%–100%). The face validity of the scale is qualified. In phase 2, 455 participants aged 18 years old or older were enrolled in this study from 01/2021 – 06/2021 in Ho Chi Minh City. Regarding the criterion validity, the correlation coefficient between Vietnamese CCMQ and SF-36 was 0.67 for the Neutral type and -0.31 to -0.57 for the rest. The internal consistency varied from 0.70 to 0.83 measured by Cronbach’s alpha. The test-retest reliability varied from 0.63 to 0.90 for each of the 9 sub-scales and from 0.40 to 0.68 for each of the 60 questions. The Vietnamese version of CCMQ has good reliability and validity, which provides a strong basis for future researches on BC of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine.

Efficacy evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine, VGH-BPH1, for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover study.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can affect quality of life and cause various complications. Previous studies have suggested that Chinese herbal medicine can alleviate symptoms in patients with BPH. This study aimed to investigate whether the Chinese herbal medicine prescription VGH-BPH1 can alleviate BPH symptoms when used as an add-on treatment. In this crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with BPH were randomly segregated into two groups: group A received VGH-BPH1, and group B received a placebo for 8 weeks. Subsequently, after a 2-week wash-out period, the two groups were switched to the opposite treatment for another 8 weeks. The International Prostate Symptoms Score and Aging Male Symptoms Score were adopted as the primary outcomes to assess improvement in BPH and patient quality of life. The secondary outcomes were the International Index of Erectile Function, Constitution Chinese Medicine Questionnaire, uroflowmetry results, and postvoid residual urine volume. VGH-BPH1 treatment significantly decreased the International Prostate Symptoms Score total score (p = 0.027); however, no significant difference was observed between the treatment and placebo groups. The Aging Male Symptoms Score "joint pain and muscular ache" score in the VGH-BPH1 group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p = 0.022). The "physical exhaustion" score also exhibited a decreasing trend when both groups were compared (p = 0.057). Although VGH-BPH1 treatment did not outperform the placebo in terms of improving BPH symptoms, it resulted in improvement in several quality of life indicators when relative to the placebo. Future research using a larger sample size with appropriate amendments to the protocol should be conducted to further investigate the effects of VGH-BPH1.

Development and evaluation of short form of constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire: a national epidemiological survey data of 21 948 case.

To develop the best short form of constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ) and evaluate its psychometric properties in Chinese population. A total of 21 948 subjects were used to refine the short form. Correlation coefficient, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were used to analyze and select items to form the short form. Separate sample of 205 subjects were collected to further evaluate the short from. EFA, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), item-scale correlation, discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability and split-half reliability were carried out to evaluate the short form. The short form CCMQ included 26 items. Seven common factors of characteristic root > 1 were extracted to explain 58.488% of the total variation. Result of CFA was consistent with the 9-factors structure. The mean differences of Blood-stasis body constitution and Qi-stagnation body constitution had statistical significance in body mass index differentiation. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of short form CCMQ was 0.863. The split-half reliability of total scale was 0.813, and each scale was 0.568-0.770. The item-scale correlations ranged from 0.620-0.849. The short form CCMQ consisted of 26 items with good psychometric properties. The short form should be recommended for the measurement of health of Chinese population in any clinical trial.

Population-based associations between progression of normal-tension glaucoma and Yang-deficient constitution among Chinese persons

PurposeTo explore the association between constitution types as defined by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and risk for normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).DesignPopulation-based cohort study.MethodsPersons were identified in a population cohort aged ≥30...

Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution and Health-Related Quality of Life in Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) body constitution has been studied in many diseases, but few have focused on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and particularly their association with disease-specific quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of TCM body constitution and QoL in female patients with SLE. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult female patients with a clinician-confirmed diagnosis of SLE in a regional hospital in Taiwan. TCM body constitution types were determined using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ). Disease-specific QoL of the participants was assessed using the LupusQoL. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between TCM body constitution types with the score of each of the eight domains of LupusQoL and between the numbers of multiple unbalanced body constitution types and score of each of the eight domains of LupusQoL. Results Of the 317 female patients with SLE, 22 (6.9%) were classified to have a gentleness balanced body constitution type. Among the remaining 295 patients with unbalanced body constitution types, Qi-deficiency was the most common (64.4%), followed by Yin-deficiency (57.6%). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that Qi-deficiency was significantly associated with the emotional, pain, and fatigue domains of the LupusQoL, whereas Yin-deficiency was significantly associated with the emotional and fatigue domains of the LupusQoL. In addition, all domains of the LupusQoL showed a general pattern of poorer QoL with increasing numbers of unbalanced body constitution types. Conclusions Different TCM body constitution types were significantly associated with various domains of the LupusQoL. A high prevalence of multiple body constitution types in patients with SLE was observed. A consistent pattern of poorer LupusQoL with increasing numbers of unbalanced body constitution types was evident.