Characteristics of TCM constitutions of adult Chinese women in Hong Kong and identification of related influencing factors: a cross-sectional survey

Journal of Translational Medicine

Jianping Chen²  Neng Wang³  Zhiyu Wang³  Xiao Zheng³  Steve An Xue⁵  Yanhua He³  Lei Jia³  Yi Zhao¹  Pei Liu⁶  Youzhi Sun⁴ 

[1] Research Center for Differention and Development of TCM Basic Theory, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, P.R., China;Hong Kong Breast Cancer Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China;School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, P.R. China;School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, P.R. China;Parinama Investment Limited, Shanghai, P.R. China;The Second People’s Hospital of Shenzhen (The first Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, P.R. China

关键词: Influencing factors;    Chinese women;    Traditional Chinese medicine constitution;   

Others  :  811068
DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5876-12-140

 received in 2013-11-22, accepted in 2014-04-29,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution (TCMC) refers to an integrated, metastable and natural specialty of individual in morphosis, physiological functions and psychological conditions. It is formed on the basis of innate and acquired endowments in the human life process, which can be divided into normal constitution and unbalanced ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of TCMCs of Chinese women in Hong Kong and its acquired influencing factors.

Methods

Local Chinese women between 30 to 65years old, were recruited from 18 districts of Hong Kong (n = 944), and were assessed using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Physical Constitution Scale for their TCMC types. Social-demographic, reproductive, lifestyle, systemic health and emotional status information were collected through structured questionnaire. The associations between different independent factors and each TCMC type, as well as the complex unbalanced TCMC types were tested individually. Significant factors related to unbalanced TCMC types were identified in final models using multiple factor analysis.

Results

A total of 764 (80.9%) participants were diagnosed with unbalanced TCMCs. The most common TCMC type was Qi-deficiency constitution (53.9%), followed by Phlegm-wetness (38.9%), Yang-deficiency (38.2%), Yin-deficiency (35.5), Blood-stasis (35.4) and Qi-depressed (31%) constitution. Six hundred and eleven participants (64.7%) had at least two types of combined and unbalanced constitutions. Stepwise logistic analysis indicated that poor systemic health condition (OR, 1.76-2.89), negative emotions (OR = 1.39), overweight (OR = 1.58), high educational level (OR = 1.18) and mental work (OR = 1.44) were significantly positively correlated with certain unbalanced TCMCs. Meanwhile, aging (OR, 0.59-0.73), exercise habit (OR, 0.61-0.79) and reproductive history (OR = 0.72) showed inverse associations with unbalanced constitutions. In addition, systemic health condition and emotional status, exercise habit and age were significantly associated with the combined unbalanced TCMC types.

Conclusion

The majority of middle-aged Chinese women in Hong Kong had unbalanced and complex TCMCs. Qi-deficiency, Phlegm-wetness and Yang-deficiency constitutions are the most common constitutions. Poor systemic health condition, less-than-satisfactory emotional life, overweight and mental work are associated with and may be contributors for the formation of unbalanced TCMCs, while regular physical exercise was found to be a potential protective factor for unbalanced TCMCs.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Sun et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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