Constitution In Chinese Medicine Questionnaire Research Articles

Potential Association of Body Constitution with the Prognosis of IgA Nephropathy: A Long-Time Follow-Up of 203 Cases in China.

Objective This study investigated the association between body constitution (BC) and the prognosis of IgA nephropathy. Methods We analyzed 203 biopsy-diagnosed IgA nephropathy patients, who were followed up for (63.9±16.2) months. The participants' BC statuses were evaluated with the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire; the relationships between clinical parameters and renal outcomes were analyzed by Cox regression. Results Patients were classified into chronic kidney disease stages with 43.4% in stage 1, 27.1% in stage 2, 26.1% in stage 3, 3.5% in stage 4, and none in stage 5. Qi-deficiency BC type was the most common BC type in IgA nephropathy patients. In univariate analysis, proteinuria of more than 1g/d, hypertension, renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min), hypoproteinemia, hyperuricemia, Yang-deficiency BC, and blood-stasis BC were associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified that hypertension (hazard ratios (HR) 3.5, P=0.009), renal impairment (HR 5.8, P<0.001), Yang-deficiency BC (HR 2.3, P=0.041), and blood-stasis BC (HR 2.5, P=0.017) were independent predictors of unfavorable renal outcomes. Conclusions Most patients of IgA nephropathy were biopsied at an early stage. Yang-deficiency BC and blood-stasis BC at biopsy were most closely associated with the worse prognosis of IgA nephropathy along with hypertension and renal impairment.

An investigation into the effects of acupuncture on radial pressure pulse waves in patients with low back pain: A protocol for a quasi-experimental study

IntroductionThe characteristics of radial pressure pulse waves (RPPW) provide an essential diagnostic technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The purpose of this research is to develop a study protocol that integrates the concept of TCM and traditional acupuncture treatment with modern scientific tools utilizing a quasi-experimental design. We will investigate the effects of acupuncture on the RPPW in study participants with low back pain (LBP) using modern tools, including the pulse sphygmograph, the fingertip-to-floor test, the Faces Pain Scale-Revised, the Oswestry Disability Index, the Health Status Questionnaire, and the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. MethodsWe will attempt to recruit 80 eligible subjects with LBP based on our predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Acupuncture intervention will be performed bilaterally on Shenshu (BL23), Dachangshu (BL25) and Weizhong (BL40) for 20 min. Objective and subjective baseline assessments and outcome evaluations will be performed at a specific time before and after the intervention. This paper describes the methods of our original research approved by the China Medical University Hospital's Research Ethics Committee. Recruitment is in progress and data collection will continue until March 2019. ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this preliminary study is the first attempt to investigate the effects of acupuncture on the RPPW in LBP subjects using a pulse sphygmograph and other modern tools. The findings will also investigate the effectiveness of the selected acupuncture point combinations for LBP. We hope this preliminary study will provide a basic foundation for a large-scale research study that involves randomisation in the future.

Identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitutions and Physiological Indexes Risk Factors in Metabolic Syndrome: A Data Mining Approach.

Objective In order to find the predictive indexes for metabolic syndrome (MS), a data mining method was used to identify significant physiological indexes and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutions. Methods The annual health check-up data including physical examination data; biochemical tests and Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) measurement data from 2014 to 2016 were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A predictive matrix was established by the longitudinal data of three consecutive years. TreeNet machine learning algorithm was applied to build prediction model to uncover the dependence relationship between physiological indexes, TCM constitutions, and MS. Results By model testing, the overall accuracy rate for prediction model by TreeNet was 73.23%. Top 12.31% individuals in test group (n=325) that have higher probability of having MS covered 23.68% MS patients, showing 0.92 times more risk of having MS than the general population. Importance of ranked top 15 was listed in descending order . The top 5 variables of great importance in MS prediction were TBIL difference between 2014 and 2015 (D_TBIL), TBIL in 2014 (TBIL 2014), LDL-C difference between 2014 and 2015 (D_LDL-C), CCMQ scores for balanced constitution in 2015 (balanced constitution 2015), and TCH in 2015 (TCH 2015). When D_TBIL was between 0 and 2, TBIL 2014 was between 10 and 15, D_LDL-C was above 19, balanced constitution 2015 was below 60, or TCH 2015 was above 5.7, the incidence of MS was higher. Furthermore, there were interactions between balanced constitution 2015 score and TBIL 2014 or D_LDL-C in MS prediction. Conclusion Balanced constitution, TBIL, LDL-C, and TCH level can act as predictors for MS. The combination of TCM constitution and physiological indexes can give early warning to MS.

Association of traditional Chinese medicine body constitution and moderate-to-severe cancer-related fatigue in cancer patients

Background and purposeFatigue is one of the most prevalent adverse events reported by cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between traditional Chinese medicine body constitution (TCMBC) and moderate-to-severe cancer-related fatigue in cancer patients. Materials and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on cancer patients recruited from a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. The association between TCMBC, measured using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) and moderate-to-severe cancer-related fatigue (based on the Taiwanese version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory score ≥ 4) was evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis. ResultsOf the 170 participants, 37 (21.8%) had moderate-to-severe fatigue. Yang-deficiency (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.50–8.40) and Qi-deficiency (aOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.18–6.82) TCMBC were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe cancer-related fatigue. ConclusionTCMBC could be used as a clinical tool to identify cancer patients prone to experience moderate-to-severe cancer-related fatigue, and to provide Chinese medicine practitioners a basis for selecting an appropriate treatment approach based on TCMBC.

Constitutional types of Chinese medicine of primary bile reflux gastritis among different season: a cross-sectional study

Objective To investigate the constitutional types of Chinese medicine of primary bile reflux gastritis among different seasons. Methods Data of gastroscopy center during August 2015 to July 2016 were analyzed. A total of 603 patients were diagnosed as primary bile reflux gastritis. After gastroscopy, the standardized constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire was used to evaluation the scores of all kinds of constitutional types. The Constitutional types of Chinese medicine of primary bile reflux gastritis among different seasons were analyzed. Results Among all seasons, the positive detection rate showed significant difference (χ2=13.041, P=0.005), and summer group showed the highest among the four seasons (23.38% vs. 17.63%, χ2=12.414, P<0.001). Among all seasons, constitutional types of Chinese medicine of primary bile reflux gastritis had significant difference (χ2=37.441, P<0.001). Damp-heated type had significant difference among seasons (χ2=8.472, P=0.037), especially during the summer (χ2=5.847, P=0.016). Conclusions The summer may have more primary bile reflux gastritis chance to be diagnosed as primary bile reflux gastritis. Yang-deficiency type, Gentleness type, Qi-deficiency type and damp-heat type were more common in primary bile reflux gastritis patients. Key words: Bile reflux; Gastritis; Constitutional types of Chinese medicine; Seasons

Qi deficiency is associated with depression in chronic hemodialysis patients

ObjectiveDepression is a common bio-psycho-social problem in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for symptom management in patients with depression. Identification of the specific constitution in traditional Chinese medicine is critical for personalized care. However, the association between depression and specific constitution in HD patients is unknown. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in all chronic HD patients (HD for more than 3 months) at China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. The depression symptom severity was determined using the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Clinical patterns in Chinese medicine were determined using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. The association between constitution and depression was analyzed using logistic regression. ResultsWe recruited 467 chronic hemodialysis patients, including 219 females and 248 males, with a mean age of 63±12years. The mean duration of HD was 5.8 years. The mean score for the BDI-II was 11 (interquartile range 8–14). The major constitution was Yang-deficiency (43.7%) among these chronic HD patients. Qi-deficiency was correlated with a duration of HD of more than 5.8 years (p=0.04). Qi-deficiency [odds ratio (OR): 4.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.69–9.72, p<0.01] was also associated with depression in logistic regression with adjustments for confounders, including calcium, phosphorus and hemoglobin levels. ConclusionQi-deficiency constitution in Chinese medicine is associated with depression in chronic HD patients. Further studies are needed to determine whether treating Qi-deficiency integrating Chinese medicine treatment can improve patients’ depression symptoms.

The correlation between pulse diagnosis and constitution identification in traditional Chinese medicine

ObjectivesOur study aimed to correlate pulse wave parameters such as augmentation index (AI) and heart rate variability with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution for evaluating health status. DesignOut of 177 subjects, 69 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study, and others were excluded because of cardiovascular, liver, kidney, or other diseases. Each subject was invited to complete pulse wave examination and the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. Independent Student’s t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the correlation between pulse wave parameters and TCM constitution. ResultsQi-deficient individuals had higher AI (p=0.006) and lower diastolic blood pressure (p=0.011); yang-deficient individuals had lower dP/dt max (p=0.030), systolic blood pressure (p=0.020), and pulse pressure (p=0.048); and damp-heat individuals had higher subendocardial viability index (SEVI) scores (p=0.011). We then categorized the phlegm dampness and yang-deficiency individuals into the cold group and those with damp-heat and yin-deficiency into the heat group. A comparison of the two constitution groups showed higher AI in the cold group (p=0.026). Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only AI was a determinant, as evidenced by the finding that an increase of one unit in AI corresponded to an increase of 5% in the odds ratio for individuals to have a cold constitution (p=0.026). ConclusionsIndividuals with qi-deficient and cold constitutions had higher AI and lower SEVI, potentially reflecting an increase in arterial stiffness. This study can provide a basis for further investigation of the physiological indicators of TCM constitutions in modern medicine.

Relationship between 60 Items in Japanese Version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ-J) Based on Multivariate Analysis: Estimation of Aging and BMI by CCMQ-J Scores

Relationship between 60 Items in Japanese Version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ-J) Based on Multivariate Analysis: Estimation of Aging and BMI by CCMQ-J Scores

Correlation analysis of constitutional type of traditional Chinese medicine between undergraduate nursing students and their agnate grandparents

Objective To understand the correlation of constitutional type of Traditional Chinese Medicine between undergraduate nursing students and their agnate grandparents, so as to provide references for disease prevention and health guidance. Methods A total 800 undergraduate nursing students and their agnate grandparents were investigated with constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ) designed by professor Wang Qi. Results A total of 784 questionnaires were collected. There were 569 effective questionnaires for nursing students which indicated that their agnate grandparents were living. There were 296 questionnaires for grandfather and 353 questionnaires for grandmother. Among the population, there were 389 persons (31.94%) belong to Gentleness constitution, 769 persons (63.14%) belong to lopsided constitutions. The most common constitutions types were gentleness type, Yang-deficiency type, Qi-deficiency type in nursing students (44.46%) and their grandmothers (26.62%). Nevertheless, the first three types of constitutions were Yang-deficiency type, Qi-deficiency type, Gentleness type in grandfather. Correlation analysis of constitutional type between nursing students and their grandparents indicated that there was no correlation in Gentleness constitution (r=-0.09, 0.09; P>0.05), but there were correlations in other constitutional types between nursing students and their grandparents (r=0.20-0.43; P<0.01). Conclusions The correlation is not significant in constitutional type of traditional Chinese medicine between nursing students and their agnate grandparents, but it still has a certain directive significance for disease prevention and control in some family. Key words: Correlation; Nursing undergraduate; Grandparents; Constitutional type of traditional Chinese medicine

Study on the college students' psychological characteristics of personality of the nine constitutions in traditional Chinese medicine

Objective To explore the psychological characteristics of personality of the nine constitutions in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), so as to enrich and develop the theory related with constitution in TCM. Methods From May 2009 to June 2009, 540 college students from two universities in Beijing were investigated by cross-sectional survey. Cluster sampling method was adopted and the constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Short Scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC) was used. Results ①In extraversion-introversion dimension, Gentleness type had the highest score(56.52±8.48) and Qi-depression type had the lowest score(45.88±11.13). The scores of seven pathological constitutions(Qi-deficiency type, Yang-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, Wet-heat type, Blood-stasis type, Qi-depression type and Special diathesis type) were significantly lower than the score of Gentleness type(P<0.01). In neuroticism dimension, Qi-depression type had the highest score (59.31±9.70) and Gentleness type had the lowest score (44.08±8.55). There were significant differences(P<0.01)between the score of Gentleness type and the scores of Qi-deficiency type, Yin-deficiency type, Wet-heat type, Blood-stasis type and Qi-depression type. In psychoticism dimension, there were no significant differences between the score of Gentleness type and the scores of eight pathological constitutions. ② Gentleness type was used as control, multivariate logistic regression analysis of psychological characteristics of personality of the eight pathological constitutions showed that the extraversion-introversion dimension was the meaningful relation factor of Qi-deficiency type, Yang-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, Wet-heat type, Blood-stasis type, Qi-depression type and Special diathesis type. The neuroticism dimension was the meaningful relation factor of Qi-deficiency type, Yin-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, Wet-heat type, Blood-stasis type, Qi-depression type and Special diathesis type. Conclusion People with nine different constitutional types in TCM have shown corresponding psychological characteristics of personality. This study illustrates that nine constitutions in TCM are related to psychological characteristics of personality. Key words: Constitutional types in tradition Chinese medicine; Psychological characteristics of personality; Constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire(CCMQ )

Correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions: an analysis based on a sample from general population of China

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between smoking and drinking and constitution types from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. MethodsThe Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) was used. A sample of 8448 subjects from nine provinces and municipalities was chosen from the database of the TCM constitution and health status survey. Constituent ratio and correspondence analysis were used to find the relationship between smoking and drinking and TCM constitution. ResultsThere was an association between smoking and drinking and the Gentleness, phlegm-dampness, and dampness-heat type constitutions. People that did not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol tended to have Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, Qi-depression, Qi-deficiency, special diathesis, or blood-stasis type constitutions. ConclusionThere was a significant correlation between tobacco and alcohol use and TCM constitutions. To improve patient health, more attention should be paid to tobacco and alcohol control.

Study on the relationship between chinese medicine constitutive susceptibility and diversity of syndrome in diabetic nephropathy

To explore the relationship between Chinese medicine (CM) constitutive susceptibility and syndrome diversity in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Epidemiologic investigation on constitution adopting the "Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire" (CCMQ), and survey on syndrome type by CM syndrome scale (preliminary) were carried out in 180 DN patients. Cluster analysis on symptom items was used to determine the syndrome type, and canonical correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between patients' constitution and syndrome. Baseline levels in all enrolled patients were not different statistically. Cluster analysis showed 8 syndromes existed in DN patients, namely: I, qi-yin deficiency with qi-stagnancy type; II, yin-yang deficiency with heat-water-blood stasis type; III, qi-yin deficiency with dampness-heat type; IV, yin-yang deficiency with blood-stasis and heat type; V, qi-yin deficiency with stagnant heat type; VI, yin-yang deficiency with inner dampness-heat stagnancy type; VII, yin deficiency with heat stagnancy type; and VIII, Kidney (Shen)-Spleen (Pi) deficiency with stagnant heat type. Correlation analysis on the 8 syndromes and the 9 constitutions showed statistical significant correlations between syndrome III and dampness-heat constitution (P=0.0001); syndrome IV and blood-stasis constitution (P=0.0001); and syndrome VII and yin-deficiency constitution (P=0.0180). Certain relationship revealed between CM constitutions and syndrome types; constitution decides the disease genesis, its syndrome type and prognosis, as well as the change of syndromes.

Validation of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire: Does the Traditional Chinese Medicine Concept of Body Constitution Exist?

The study aims to adapt and validate the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) in Hong Kong Chinese people. 10 patients and 10 Chinese medicine practitioners (CMP) confirmed the content validity (CVI: 50%–100%) of CCMQ. 1084 HK subjects completed a cross-sectional study with 98.6% who could be classified into one or more BC types. Scaling success rates were 85.7%–100% for the 9 BC scales. Construct validity was supported by moderate correlations between CCMQ and SF-12v2 scores. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a reproducible structure as hypothesized. People with gentleness BC type had better health-related quality of life, HRQOL, than those with other (imbalanced) BC types. Internal consistency (reliability) (Cronbach's alpha > 0.6) and test-retest reliability were also satisfactory (ICC > 0.6) for all scales. However, the sensitivity and specificity in predicting the BC types diagnosed by CMP were only fair, ranging from 42.7% to 82.7%. 27.6% of subjects had a change from the imbalanced BC types to gentleness BC type after 6 months. The CCMQ was adapted for HK Chinese people and proved to be valid, reliable, and responsive. People classified to have imbalanced BC types had significantly lower HRQOL than gentleness BC type, which supported the validity and importance of the TCM concept of the physiological BC type.

Logistic regression analysis on relationships between traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types and overweight or obesity

To explore the relationships between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types and overweight or obesity so as to provide evidence for adjusting constitutional bias and preventing and treating obesity. The data comes from a cross-sectional survey on TCM constitution of 18 805 samples aged above 18 in Beijing and 8 provinces (Jiangsu, Anhui, Gansu, Qinghai, Fujian, Jilin, Jiangxi and Henan) in China. The survey of TCM constitution was performed by standardized constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ). Discriminatory analysis method was used to judge the individual's constitutional type (gentleness type, qi-deficiency type, yang-deficiency type, yin-deficiency type, phlegm-dampness type, dampness-heat type, blood-stasis type, qi-depression type and special diathesis type). The relationships between TCM constitution types and overweight or obesity was investigated by logistic regression analysis. Compared with gentleness type, the risk of overweight (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.79-2.35) and obesity (OR, 4.34; 95% CI, 3.52-5.36) in phlegm-dampness type is significantly increased; the risk of obesity (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.30-1.98) in qi-deficiency type is significantly higher; the risk of overweight and obesity in yang-deficiency type, blood-stasis type, and qi-depression type is significantly lower. Phlegm-dampness type and qi-deficiency type are the main constitutional risk factors of overweight or obesity.

Development and Validation of the Japanese Version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ)

Objectives : The objective of this study is to develop a Japanese version of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) in Chinese, which is comprised of 60 items with 9 sub-scales, and evaluate its reliability and validity. Methods : We conducted a survey of 130 participants in the Toyama area of Japan from Dec. 2005, to Feb. 2006. A test-retest method was used. Feasibility was evaluated by the response times to the questionnaire, and the response rates of the CCMQ items. Internal consistency within the sub-scales was assessed by Cronbach's α coefficient. Reproducibility was confirmed between the first and second occasions using weighted kappa and Spearman correlation. Lastly, criterion validity was evaluated by correlation between CCMQ and SF-36 sub-scales. Results : Response time was 8 minutes on average and its rate was nearly 100%. Internal consistency was achieved for each of the 9 sub-scales with a 0.65 to 0.79 α coefficient. Reproducibility ranged from 0.41 to 0.81 for the items, and from 0.79 to 0.88 for the sub-scales. Regarding the criterion validity, the “Gentleness type” sub-scale was positively correlated with SF-36 (0.46, P<0.001), while other 8 pathological constitutional types of the CCMQ were negatively correlated with SF-36 (-0.35 to -0.50, P<0.001) as expected. Conclusions : We developed a Japanese version of the CCMQ and found acceptable levels of reliability and validity using a survey of 130 subjects in Japan. This suggests that the CCMQ could be a useful tool in comparing the constitution profiles between Chinese and Japanese.

Evaluation on reliability and validity of the constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire (CCMQ)

目的 对开发的60个条目构成的、包含9个亚量表的中医体质量表进行信度、效度评价.方法 2005年6月～2006年3月,以我国东西南北中5个地域的自然人群和体检中心15岁以上、获得知情同意的2500人为调查对象(包括健康者和患病者)实施调查.通过量表的回答时间和量表的各个条目的回答率评价其实用性.在对各个亚量表用相关系数评价再现性的基础上,进一步用Cronbach's α系数评价亚量表内条目的一致性.以中医体质量表与健康状况调查问卷SF-36的相关系数评价其效标效度.结果 量表的回答时间平均为12 min,60个条目回答率都很高(99%～100%).9个亚量表得分的再现性相关系数为0.76～0.90,9个亚量表的内部一致性系数为0.72～0.80.与健康状况调查问卷的效标效度的评价结果显示,平和质呈显著正相关(r =0.58,P ＜0.01),而各个偏颇体质类型呈显著负相关(r =-0.38～-0.54,P ＜0.01).依据BMI分组,以t检验进行分析的结果,中医体质量表痰湿质、气虚质、阳虚质3个亚量表得分存在显著差异(P ＜0.01或P ＜0.05).结论 中医体质量表具有较好的信度和效度,可以认为中医体质量表是一个性能良好的测评工具。