So-Yang Type Research Articles

Analyses of Physical and Psychological Characteristics of "Squid Game" Characters Using East Asian Biopsychosocial Personality Theories and Body Mass Index.

Media characters' physical and psychological traits are crucial for character development and audience engagement. This study examines East Asian perspectives on the audience's perceptions of the physical appearance and personality, using Eum-Yang biopsychological Sasang theory, of five characters from the Netflix series "Squid Game". A total of 221 university students assessed the traits of five "Squid Game" characters using the Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and a visual Body Mass Index (BMI). ANOVA and Profile Analysis revealed significant and comprehensive differences in the SPQ and its subscales (behavior, SPQ-B; cognition, SPQ-C; and emotion, SPQ-E) as well as BMI among the five drama characters. More specifically, Seong Gi-hun (SGH) and Han Mi-nyeo (HMN) were So-Yang types (high SPQ, moderate BMI), Cho Sang-woo (CSW) and Kang Sae-byeok (KSB) were So-Eum types (low SPQ, low BMI), and Jang Deok-su (JDS) was Tae-Eum type (moderate SPQ, high BMI). Psychological profiling showed two patterns: V-shaped (high SPQ-B, low SPQ-C, high SPQ-E) for SGH, HMN, and JDS, and A-shaped (low SPQ-B, high SPQ-C, low SPQ-E) for CSW and KSB. These results contribute to media psychology by highlighting the relevance of Eum-Yang and Sasang typology for creating and analyzing complex characters, thereby enhancing global understanding for East Asian biopsychosocial theories.

Investigating the Biomarkers of the Sasang Constitution via Network Pharmacology Approach.

Sasang constitutional (SC) medicine classifies people into Soeum (SE), Soyang (SY), Taeeum (TE), and Taeyang (TY) types based on psychological and physical traits. However, biomarkers of these types are still unclear. We aimed to identify biomarkers among the SC types using network pharmacology methods. Target genes associated with the SC types were identified by grouping herb targets that preserve and strengthen the requisite energy (Bomyeongjiju). The herb targets were obtained by constructing an herb-compound-target network. We identified 371, 185, 146, and 89 target genes and their unique biological processes related to SE, SY, TE, and TY types, respectively. While the targets of SE and SY types were the most similar among the target pairs of the SC types, those of TY type overlapped with only a few other SC-type targets. Moreover, SE, SY, TE, and TY were related to “diseases of the digestive system,” “diseases of the nervous system,” “endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases,” and “congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities,” respectively. We successfully identified the target genes, biological processes, and diseases related to each SC type. We also demonstrated that a drug-centric approach using network pharmacology analysis provides a deeper understanding of the concept of Sasang constitutional medicine at a phenotypic level.

사상체질에 따른 식습관과 주관적 건강상태와의 연관성

Dietary habits are known to be closely related not only to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but also to self-rated health (SRH). Consequently, there is a highly important lifestyle component in maintaining a healthy life. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between diverse dietary habits based on the Sasang constitutions (SC) and SRH. The data were collected from 2,984 participants who met the constitution pharmacology criteria and whose SC were clinically confirmed by SC professionals. Dietary habits were observed by assessing the regularity of diet, meal volume, and meal speed; single-answer questions were used for SRH. Fisher’s exact/chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation between dietary habits depending on constitutional type and SRH. In association with constitutional SRH, the Taeum type is related to the amount of meal, the Soeum and Soyang types are related to the regularity of meal and meal volume. In the Taeum type, there was a significantly higher risk of lower SRH when meal volumes were irregular less than previous amounts. Irregular diet, as well as increased or decreased meal volume, negatively correlated with SRH in the Soeum type; in the Soyang type, irregular diet and decreased or irregular meal volume negatively affected SRH. This showed the presence of the different effects of dietary habits on health depending on constitution and also confirmed the association of the regularity of diet and meal volume based on constitution and the frequency of bad dietary habits with SRH. We suggest that personalized healthcare with adequate dietary improvement considering constitution is needed for health management or improvement.

Wrinkle reduction using a topical herbal cream in subjects classified by Sasang constitutional medicine as Soyang type: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

IntroductionProlonged UV exposure leads to skin photoaging and collagen destruction due to the increased expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) is a unique type of traditional Korean medicine. Coptis teeta and Trichosanthes rosthornii (CT) are herbal medicines uniquely used for Soyang (SY)-type individuals, and are included in the SY-type formula “Hwangryeonjiwhang-tang,” which is effective against symptoms of skin diseases such as itching and numbness. This study aimed to investigate the potential for CT as active components of an herbal mixture for wrinkle-care cosmetics. MethodsCell viability and MMP-1 expression in HaCaT cells were measured by the MTS assay and ELISA, respectively. The CT mixture cream for application on human skin was evaluated in terms of its safety and clinical efficacy by a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Women aged 40–59 years and classified as SY-type according to SCM were selected as study subjects and applied cream with or without the CT mixture for 12 weeks. ResultsThe decreased viability of HaCaT cells after UVB irradiation was restored in the CT mixture-treated group compared to that observed in the control group. The CT mixture also reduced the expression of MMP-1 that was increased by UVB irradiation. Application of the cream containing CT mixture for 12 weeks enhanced both visual assessment and wrinkle parameters in the test group compared to those in the control group. ConclusionThese findings suggest that the CT mixture appears to ameliorate skin wrinkles in SY subjects.

Analysis of Sasang Constitutional Medicine as an Optimal Preventive Care Strategy for Hemophilia Patients.

Introduction. Medical improvements have allowed hemophilia patients to anticipate an increased quality of life and life expectancy similar to that of the general population. Analysis of the potential disease symptoms of hemophilia patients based on a survey of Sasang Constitutional Medicine (SCM) is important for optimal preventive care and adjunctive therapy to avoid life-threating complications. Aim To predict potential disease symptoms from the viewpoint of SCM as a preventive care strategy for hemophilia patients. Methods Sixty-one hemophilia patients responded to a survey on Sasang constitutional classification, hemophilia disease pattern, and original symptoms. Results In terms of SCM type, the 61 of hemophilia patients included 37 Tae-Eum (60.7%), 18 So-Yang (29.5%), and 6 So-Eum (12.5%). Hemophilia was found to be higher in Tae-Eum type and lower in So-Yang and So-Eum types, while considering the distributional rate of Korean Sasang types. Most of the patients with Tae-Eum type had Joyeol or Ganyeol. Furthermore, the incidences of diabetes and high blood pressure were greater in Tae-Eum type than in those of other types. Conclusion In order to increase the quality of life and overall life expectancy, hemophilia patients with Tae-Eum type should be treated through management according to SCM along with medicine against hemophilia as long-term preventive care. Diabetes and high blood pressure should be regularly monitored in patients with Tae-Eum type.

Urinary Function of the Sasang Type and Cold-Heat Subgroup Using the Sasang Urination Inventory in Korean Hospital Patients.

Introduction The Sasang type-specific pathophysiological symptom is pivotal for the Sasang type classification and pattern identification. The Sasang Urination and Defecation Inventory (SUDI) for urinary function analysis was developed; however, the clinical usefulness of urination-related subscales of SUDI in the Sasang type and Cold-Heat subgroup was not reported with acceptable validation analysis. Methods The clinical diagnosis of the Sasang type and Cold-Heat subgroup, responses to SUDI items, and weight and height of the 350 hospital patients were acquired retrospectively. The Sasang Urination Inventory (SUI) with SUI-CHR (problematic physical characteristics of urine), SUI-HSS (hypersensitivity of urinary urgency and high frequency), and SUI-DIS (urinary discomfort of hesitancy and residual urine sense) subscales using 12 items of SUDI were improvised. The item and construct validity of the SUI were examined using item response theory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the clinical usefulness of the SUI in Sasang type and Cold-Heat subgroup differentiation was attested. Results The SUI and its subscales showed acceptable structural validity and have clinical usefulness in the Tae-Eum type. The Tae-Eum type has a significantly higher SUI-CHR score than did the So-Yang type, and the Heat subgroup has a significantly higher SUI-HSS score than did the Cold subgroup in the Tae-Eum type. Discussion. The distinctive Sasang type- and Cold-Heat subscale-specific pathological symptoms in urinary function were revealed using the SUI. The SUI combined with objective Sasang typology measures might be useful for integrative precision medicine combining Eastern and Western practice and for evidence-based clinical education for medical professions.

Body water changes of Taeeum and Soyang types, induced by sleep deprivation, in Sasang Constitutional medicine: a prospective intervention study

To analyze the transition toward a low-carbon energy system and to develop appropriate policy measures toward this goal, large efforts are currently taking place to model future layouts of our energy system. In this context, it is important to consider the technological progress in energy-system technologies to take into account how this progress affects technology cost and deployment. In this chapter, we discuss the implementation of experience curves in energy modeling. Experience curves allow for endogenous modeling of cost reductions resulting from technological progress and are, therefore, widely applied in energy modeling. Several issues with implementation of experience curves in energy modeling are discussed, as well as possible solutions.

Development and validation of Sasang Urination and Defecation Inventory (SUDI) for pathophysiological symptoms of Sasang typology

BackgroundThe pathophysiological symptom of Sasang typology is essential for getting clinical diagnosis and analyzing treatment effects. The clinical index for examining urination and defecation related symptoms were developed and validated with established clinical measures. MethodsQuestionnaire items of six subscales of Sasang Urination and Defecation Inventory (SUDI) were developed based on previous systematic reviews, and its clinical validity was examined with clinical measures of Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OBSS), and ROME 3 criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (ROME3-IBS) and Functional Constipation (ROME3-FC) using 48 healthy participants. The internal consistency of six subscales of SUDI were examined with Cronbach alpha. The Pearson correlation was used to examine correlation between SUDI and Western clinical measures, and the ANOVA was adopted to investigate differences among Sasang type groups in clinical measures. ResultsThe SUDI-UCHR (problematic characteristics of urine) and SUDI-ANMD (defecation anomaly discomfort) were found to represent unique concept of traditional Korean medicine, however SUDI-IRRB (irritability of bowel movement) and SUDI-FCON (functional constipation) were similar with functional gastrointestinal disease of western medicine. SUDI-URET (ability to retain urine), SUDI-UDIS (urinary discomfort) and SUDI-ANMD of So-Yang type (7.95±2.16, 14.33±2.01, and 13.10±2.57) are significantly different from those of So-Eum type (9.94±2.54, 12.18±2.96, and 10.59±3.47, respectively). ConclusionThe pathophysiological symptoms of urination and defecation in Sasang typology were systematically scrutinized, and summarized into six subscales of SUDI in this study. The SUDI would be useful for analyzing clinical symptoms of Sasang typology along with integrative collaboration of traditional Korean and Western medicine.

Metabolite Markers for Characterizing Sasang Constitution Type through GC-MS and 1H NMR-Based Metabolomics Study.

Sasang constitutional medicine classifies human beings into four types based on their physical and psychological characteristics. Despite its potential value in achieving personalized medicine, the diagnosis of sasang constitution (SC) type is complex and subjective. In this study, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance–based metabolic analyses were conducted to find maker metabolites in serum and urine according to different SC types. Although some samples were overlapped on orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis score plots, serum samples showed separation between different SC types. Levels of lactate, glutamate, triglyceride, and fatty acids in serum and glycolic acid in urine of Tae-Eum type were higher than those of So-Eum and So-Yang type. Fatty acids, triglyceride, and lactate levels were found to be metabolites related to body mass index, indicating that marker metabolites for the diagnosis of SC type could be associated with obese. However, Tae-Eum type showed higher lactate levels in serum than So-Yang type for both normal weight and overweight groups, suggesting that the contents of serum lactate might be dependent on the SC type regardless of body weight. These results suggest that metabolomics analysis could be used to determine SC type.

Association of adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin with metabolic syndrome and its metabolic components in Sasang constitutional type

IntroductionMounting evidence indicates a significant relationship between Sasang constitutional types (SCTs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), and between metabolic hormones and risk of MetS. However, studies have not yet examined whether the impact of metabolic hormones on MetS differs according to SCT. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the association of adiponectin, ghrelin, leptin with MetS and metabolic components is affected by SCTs. MethodsA total of 2370 subjects (1201 men and 1169 women) who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Ansan cohort between 2007 and 2008 and completed the health-related questionnaire, anthropometric evaluation, and biochemical measurements were included in the analysis. Each constitutional type was defined using an integrated diagnostic method. Total adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or radioimmunoassay. ResultsTae-eum (TE) type had the highest frequency of MetS (29.9%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for possible confounders, adiponectin (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.84–0.92; P < 0.0001) and leptin levels (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.08; P = 0.015) were significantly associated with MetS in TE type, whereas only adiponectin levels were significantly associated with MetS in So-yang type (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73–0.90; P < 0.0001). Ghrelin levels were not significantly associated with MetS in all SCTs. ConclusionsThis population-based study showed different association of adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin with MetS and its components according to SCT.

Association between Sasang constitutional types with obesity factors and sleep quality

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate differences in obesity factors according to Sasang constitutional types and quality of sleep among Korean female college students. MethodsSurveys using Sasang-types questionnaires(QSCCⅡ) and quality of sleep questionnaires(PSQI; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were conducted with 339 Korean female college students. Additionally, obesity factors, including weight, fat mass, fat percent, abdominal fat percent, body mass index (BMI) and obesity rates were measured. All data analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA. ResultsThe interaction between Sasang types and quality of sleep was presented in the quality of sleep status, subjective quality of sleep (domain 1), sleep duration (domain 3) and sleep disturbance (domain 5). Variables with interaction effects had significant differences in terms of obesity factors between groups with different quality of sleep according to the Sasang types. Moreover, significant differences in obesity factors between different Sasang types according to the quality of sleep were also observed. ConclusionThis study characterized the reduction effect of improvement in quality of sleep on the fat mass of So-Yang type individuals and obesity factors in Tae-Eum type individuals. The results of this study will be used in improving sleep quality according to the Sasang types.

Analysis of Facial Features according to Sasang Types between Native Japanese and Native Korean Populations.

Background Facial diagnosis is a common practice and essential diagnostic method used in the Sasang Constitution Medicine (SCM). SCM is a kind of personalized medicine in Traditional Korean Medicine which categorizes people into four types, namely, Tae-Yang (TY) type, Tae-Eum type (TE), So-Yang (SY) type, and So-Eum (SE) type. This study was conducted to compare and analyze the differences in the facial feature across Sasang types among native Japanese and native Koreans. Methods A total of 843 subjects were recruited for this study, 127 native Japanese and 716 native Koreans, respectively. Facial feature points and the measurements of facial features were assigned and calculated automatically using a facial analysis program. Data of each Sasang type for both genders were also extracted and analyzed. Analysis of covariance was then used to examine the differences in facial feature variables among native Japanese and native Koreans and Sasang types. Results Significant differences were seen in the facial feature variables related to lower face area and eye shape. In males, TE types had wider mid-face and lower face as compared to other constitutions. Male TE types were also seen to have narrower eyes whereas male SY types had rounder eyes. In females, TE types had wider lower face width and area compared to SY types and SE types. Female SY types also had rounder eyes. Conclusions This study presented distinctive feature in the lower face area and eye shape among the Sasang types in both native Japanese and native Koreans. This proposed that facial feature variables can also be used as an objective tool in distinguishing the Sasang types in native Japanese. Further studies are needed in the future to generalize these results.

Pulmonary Function Difference in Sasang Constitutional Types.

The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in pulmonary function among Sasang constitutional types in young adults. The Sasang Constitutional Analysis Tool (SCAT), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and cardiopulmonary exercise tests were conducted in 417 participants from 2009 to 2015. Subjects with the Tae-Eum (TE) type had significantly higher inspiratory capacity (IC) and inspiratory reserve volume (IRV) values than those with the So-Yang (SY) and So-Eum (SE) types (P < 0.0001). The TE and SY types showed higher forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) values than the SE type (P < 0.0001). An increase in IRV and a decrease in expiratory reserve volume (ERV) in TE type males remained even after adjusting for covariate factors. These results indicate that young adults with the TE type have weaker lung function than those with the other constitutional types, suggesting its innate physiological pulmonary features.

Sasang constitutional types for the risk prediction of metabolic syndrome: a 14-year longitudinal prospective cohort study

BackgroundTo examine whether the use of Sasang constitutional (SC) types, such as Tae-yang (TY), Tae-eum (TE), So-yang (SY), and So-eum (SE) types, increases the accuracy of risk prediction for metabolic syndrome.MethodsFrom 2001 to 2014, 3529 individuals aged 40 to 69 years participated in a longitudinal prospective cohort. The Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to predict the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.ResultsDuring the 14 year follow-up, 1591 incident events of metabolic syndrome were observed. Individuals with TE type had higher body mass indexes and waist circumferences than individuals with SY and SE types. The risk of developing metabolic syndrome was the highest among individuals with the TE type, followed by the SY type and the SE type. When the prediction risk models for incident metabolic syndrome were compared, the area under the curve for the model using SC types was significantly increased to 0.8173. Significant predictors for incident metabolic syndrome were different according to the SC types. For individuals with the TE type, the significant predictors were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), education, smoking, drinking, fasting glucose level, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride level. For Individuals with the SE type, the predictors were sex, smoking, fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride level, while the predictors in individuals with the SY type were age, sex, BMI, smoking, drinking, total cholesterol level, fasting glucose level, HDL cholesterol level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride level.ConclusionsIn this prospective cohort study among 3529 individuals, we observed that utilizing the SC types significantly increased the accuracy of the risk prediction for the development of metabolic syndrome.

Body composition and personality traits in so-Yang type males

BackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to examine the body composition of So-Yang type males according to Sasang constitutional medicine, which is popular in Korea. Different Sasang constitutional types are associated with different muscle distributions, body shapes, and disease susceptibilities. We used the Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) as a measure of the temperament of each Sasang type.MethodsIn total, 953 subjects aged over 20 years were recruited in Korea. We collected anthropometric parameters and bioimpedence information from the subjects and administered the SPQ. A logistic regression was conducted to calculate propensity scores.ResultsThe percentage of skeletal muscle mass in So-Yang (SY) and non-So-Yang (non-SY) males was 45.8 ± 2.7 and 44.2 ± 3.3, respectively, before matching and 45.8 ± 2.6 and 44.9 ± 3.0, respectively, after propensity score matching. The extracellular water (ECW)/intracellular water (ICW) and extracellular water (ECW)/total body water (TBW) ratios and SPQ scores were significantly different between the SY and non-SY types.ConclusionsThis study suggested that the SY type may be significantly and independently associated with body composition and could be associated with personality.

Energy metabolism and whole-exome sequencing-based analysis of Sasang constitution: a pilot study

BackgroundTraditional Korean Sasang constitutional (SC) medicine categorizes individuals into four constitutional types [Tae-eum (TE), So-eum (SE), Tae-yang (TY), or So-yang (SY)] based on biological and physiological characteristics. As these characteristics are closely related to the bioenergetics of the human body, we assessed the correlation between SC type and energy metabolism features. MethodsForty healthy, young (22.3±1.4years) males volunteered to participate in this study. Participants answered an SC questionnaire, and their face shape, voice tone, and body shape were assessed using an SC analysis tool. Thirty-one participants (10 TE, 10 SE, 3 TY, and 8 SY) were selected for further analysis. Collected blood samples were subjected to blood composition analysis, mitochondrial function analysis, and whole-exome sequencing. ResultsThe SY type showed significantly lower total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the SE type. Cellular and mitochondrial Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were similar across types. All types showed similar basal mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates, whereas the TE type showed a significantly lower ATP-linked oxygen consumption rate than the other types. Whole-exome sequencing identified several genes variants that were exclusively detected in particular SC types, including 19 for SE, seven for SY, 11 for TE, and six for TY. ConclusionSC type-specific differences in mitochondrial function and gene mutations were detected in a small group of healthy, young Korean males. These results are expected to greatly improve the accurate screening and utilization of SC medicine.

Issatchenkia orientalis (KCTC 7277)를 이용한 소음인과 소양인 약재의 비교 실험연구

There are four types (So-Eum, So-Yang, Tae-Eum, Tae-Yang type) in Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM). In SCM, not only people but also herbal medicine are classified into four types. To date, there has been very little evidence of experimental classifications in SCM. So, we adapted Issatchenkia orientalis in two different culture media made from the herbal medicines for So-Eum and for So-Yang type. And the adapted Issatchenkia orientalis was inoculated into another eight culture media made from the herbal medicines for So-Eum and for So-Yang type. The mass reduction was measured every 12 hours for 2 days. Then, we analyzed the statistical differences of herbal medicines for So-Eum and for So-Yang type. There were significant differences of variables (R: rate of change in mass reduction, S: convex degree of mass reduction graph) in herbal medicine media for So-Eum (p=0.001, 0.001, respectively.). Suggesting a microbiological method of Sasang medicine research, current study may contribute to the establishment of experimental Sasang constitutional herbal medicine.

Analysis of seven animation characters in Pororo the Little Penguin with Sasang typology

BackgroundAnimation characters are created to embody distinctive personalities and body images; however, these features have not been analyzed with objective measures based on East Asian theory. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biopsychological features of seven animation characters in Pororo the Little Penguin, which scored unprecedented success in Korea, with clinically validated and standardized measures of Sasang typology. MethodsForty-one graduate students completed a survey examining body mass index (BMI) and Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) of seven characters in Pororo the Little Penguin after watching three selected episodes. The differences in physical appearance and psychological traits among animation characters were analyzed with analysis of variance. ResultsSPQ and BMI showed distinctive biopsychological features of seven animation characters. Pororo (28.29±6.38 and 36.61±3.09) was a typical So-Yang type boy, Petty (20.98±4.07 and 31.66±4.59) was a typical So-Yang type girl, and Loopy (28.05±6.60 and 22.78±4.78) was a typical So-Eum type girl in terms of BMI and SPQ, respectively. The BMI and SPQ of Poby (41.10±4.26 and 22.32±3.48) and Harry (19.63±5.17 and 37.61±2.40) showed the most obvious contrast. ConclusionThis study showed that SPQ and BMI are useful objective measures for analyzing the biopsychosocial features of animation characters as well as patients. The interdisciplinary research methodology of Sasang typology suggested here would provide useful tools for educating healthcare professionals and the general public about Korean medicine, and also contribute to the development of animation characters.

Changes in Body Water Caused by Sleep Deprivation in Taeeum and Soyang Types in Sasang Medicine: Prospective Intervention Study.

Background There is a negative relationship between sleep deprivation and health. However, no study has investigated the effect of sleep deprivation on individuals with different body composition. The aim of this study was to determine the differential effect of sleep deprivation in individuals with different body compositions (fluid) according to Soyang type (SY) and Taeeum type (TE). Methods Sixty-two cognitively normal, middle-aged people with normal sleep patterns were recruited from the local population. The duration of participants' sleep was restricted to 4 h/day during the intervention phase. To examine the physiological changes brought on by sleep deprivation and recovery, 10 ml of venous blood was obtained. Results Total Body Water (TBW) and Extracellular Water (ECW) were significantly different between the groups in the intervention phase. Physiological parameters also varied from the beginning of the resting phase to the end of the experiment. Potassium levels changed more in SY than TE individuals. Conclusion Participants responded differently to the same amount of sleep deprivation depending on their Sasang constitution types. This study indicated that SY individuals were more sensitive to sleep deprivation and were slower to recover from the effects of sleep deprivation than TE individuals.

Association of Sasang Constitutional Types with Incident Hypertension: A 12-Year Follow-Up Study.

Sasang constitutional types (SCTs) are four distinct classifications of people based on physiologic and physical characteristics. The different types have been reported to have different disease susceptibility, but there are no studies reporting the association of SCT and hypertension (HTN) over a long-term follow-up period. This study prospectively investigated the association between SCT and incidence of HTN. This was a prospective study in a population-based cohort study in Korea. Data from two independent population-based cohorts that are embedded within the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were used. A total of 2083 subjects who were free of HTN at baseline were selected for the analysis. HTN was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, use of antihypertensive medication, or diagnosis by doctor. The SCTs were classified using an integrated diagnostic method that included facial features, body shape, voice, and questionnaire responses. The association between the SCT and the incidence of HTN was investigated by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis and calculation of estimated survival functions. The Tae-eum (TE) type showed a significantly increased risk for HTN (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-2.10; p = 0.005), even after adjusting for all possible confounders. In a stratified analysis by body mass index (BMI) conducted only in the TE type, even those in the TE type with normal BMI had a significantly higher risk for HTN (HR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.07-2.03; p = 0.016). Furthermore, survival analysis showed that the TE type had a higher rate of developing HTN than the So-eum and So-yang types had, regardless of obesity status. These results show that the TE type is an independent risk factor for HTN. Thus, early prevention and treatment for HTN in this type are needed.