Age-related symptom and life quality changes in women with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To explore age-related changes in symptoms and quality of life(QoL) of women with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS:Two-hundred and fifty-four female adult outpatients with IBS attending the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January,2008 and October,2008 were approached.Patients with a history of abdominal surgery,mental illness or those who had recently taken psychotropic drugs were excluded.A physician obtained demographic and abdominal symptom data.All patients were asked to complete the Zung Self-Rated Anxiety and Depression Scale(SDS/SAS) and the IBS-specific QoL questionnaire.The patients were divided into six groups according to age,in 10-year increments:18-27 years,28-37 years,38-47 years,48-57 years,58-67 years and 68-75 years(maximum 75 years).Age-related differences of abdominal pain or discomfort were analyzed using ranksum tests.Differences in SDS/SAS and IBS-QoL scores between age groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.Pearson's correlations evaluated potential associations between IBS symptoms,psychological factors and QoL in each age group.RESULTS:There were no differences in the distribution of IBS subtypes between age groups(χ2 = 20.516,P = 0.153).Differences in the severity of abdominal pain/discomfort with age were statistically significant(χ2 = 25.638,P < 0.001);patients aged 48-57 years,58-67 years or 68-75 years had milder abdominal pain/discomfort than those in the younger age groups.The severity of anxiety or depressive symptoms did not differ between age groups(SDS,χ2 = 390.845,P = 0.110;SAS,χ 2 = 360.071,P = 0.220).Differences of IBSQoL scores were statistically significant between age groups(χ2 = 1098.458,P = 0.011).The scores of patients in the 48-57-year group were lower than those in the 18-27-year and 28-37-year groups(48-57-year group vs 18-27-year group,74.88 ± 8.76 vs 79.76 ± 8.63,P = 0.021;48-57-year group vs 28-37-year group,74.88 ± 8.76 vs 79.04 ± 8.32,P = 0.014).The scores in the 68-75-year group were lower than those in the 18-27-year,28-37-year and 38-47-year groups(68-75-year group vs 18-27-year group,71.98 ± 9.83 vs 79.76 ± 8.63,P = 0.003;68-75-year group vs 28-37-year group,71.98 ± 9.83 vs 79.04 ± 8.32,P = 0.002;68-75-year group vs 38-47-year group,71.98 ± 9.83 vs 76.44 ± 8.15,P = 0.039).Anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with QoL in all age groups(SDS and QoL:18-27-year group,r =-0.562,P = 0.005;28-37-year group,r =-0.540,P < 0.001;38-47-year group,r =-0.775,P < 0.001;48-57-year group,r =-0.445,P = 0.001;58-67-year group,r =-0.692,P < 0.001;68-75-year group,r =-0.732,P < 0.001.SAS and QoL:18-27-year group,r =-0.600,P = 0.002;28-37-year group,r =-0.511,P < 0.001;38-47-year group,r =-0.675,P < 0.001;48-57-year group,r =-0.558,58-67-year group,P = 0.001;r =-0.588,P < 0.001;68-75-year group,r =-0.811,P < 0.001).A negative correlation between abdominal pain severity and QoL was found in patients aged more than 58 years(58-67-year group,r =-0.366,P = 0.017;68-75-year group,r =-0.448,P = 0.048),but not in younger patients(18-27-year group,r = 0.080,P = 0.716;28-37-year group,r =-0.063,P = 0.679;38-47-year group,r =-0.029,P = 0.812;48-57-year group,r =-0.022,P = 0.876).CONCLUSION:Factors affecting QoL should always be treated in IBS,especially emotional problems in young adults.Even mild abdominal pain should be controlled in elderly patients.

EXPERIENCE IN THE POINT-SELECTION FOR ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE

Point selection along the course of meridians is the basic principle for acupuncture prescription and selection of points. In application, there are three categories of point selection: selection of local and adjacent points; selection of distant points, and selection of symptomatic points. Based on the

Modern quantum theories and experimental achievements motivate new exploration of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）, a theoretical medical system founded about three thousand years ago, originated from the richness of Chinese culture with the support and development of ancient astronomy and philosophy. It has illuminated many mysteries of nature and the human body. This has not always been easy for the layperson to understand. In modern times, some of these processes have been gradually discovered or confirmed by frontier science. The experiments of quantum physics have shaken the fundamental concepts of conventional science, refuting criticism of Chinese culture and TCM theories. The new discoveries have triggered a new understanding of TCM theories. For example, the theory of quantum mechanics interfering with certain human functions helps explain a series of phenomena that were previously difficult to understand. The veil of many wonderful phenomena of Chinese culture and TCM acupuncture has not yet been fully pierced. For example, the body＇s energy system, the invisible qi, and the phenomenon of consciousness and subconscious function remain mysterious. However, quantum theory and numerous scientific experiments can lead to the explanations of difficult problems which were not understood in the past. For example, the nature of the changes in yin and yang, and associated principles; the five-element principles; consciousness and sub-consciousness which might affect scientific experiments and treatment outcomes; the objective existence of qi and qi field; and the essence of the meridian system in the human body and the principles of acupuncture. This article explores the scientific principles of TCM and acupuncture. The unique characteristics of TCM and acupuncture position themselves as Eastern cultural treasures. The authors endeavor to strengthen readers＇ confidence in theoretical TCM and believe that it is a major step in integrating TCM acupuncture into modern science and medicine.

Effect of reinforcing kidney-essence, removing phlegm, and promoting mental therapy on treating Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of reinforcing kidney-essence, removing phlegm, and promoting mental therapy in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Sixty patients with AD in Wuhan No.1 Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Geriatrics from May 2009 to April 2011 were randomly divided into two groups, with 30 in each group. Patients in Bushenhuatanyizhi group (BHY group) took BHY instant granules (6 g, twice per day). Patients in the control group took piracetam (0.8 g, 3 times per day). There were twelve weeks in a course. Changes in the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL) score were analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: MMSE scores in the two groups in-creased and ADL scores decreased after treatment, compared with those before treatment (both P< 0.05).The total effective rate was 86.67% in the BHY group (10 very effective, 13 effective, 7 non-responsive). The control group was 57.69% (5 very effective, 16 effective, 9 non-responsive) (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase levels were increased, lipid peroxide and triglyceride levels decreased after treatment in the BHY group as compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Reinforcing kidney-essence, removing phlegm, and promoting mental therapy can improve cognitive function and daily life of AD patients. The mechanism of the therapy might be related to improving blood fat, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting lipid peroxides.

Frontier science promotes exploration of principles and methodologies of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a theoretical medical system founded about three thousand years ago, originated from the richness of Chinese culture with the support and development of ancient astronomy and the Taoist philosophy of heaven and man. It has revealed many mysteries and illuminated interactions between nature and human beings. Those mysteries have not been easily understood by the public because TCM's conceptual system differs in form and essence from modern sciences. In modern times, some of the mysterious processes have been gradually discovered or confirmed by an advanced science: quantum physics. Quantum science is considered to break through basic concepts of mechanistic science, thus providing an entry to understanding of Chinese culture and TCM theories. Some experimental results of contemporary quantum physics shake the foundations of conventional scientific concepts. For example, quantum mechanics theory helps expand the limits of three-dimensional observations. It helps explain the phenomena that the consciousness with certain human functions interfere some experimental results. Viewing new things in a high-dimensional time-space framework helps people understand the real and virtual characteristics and their interaction;this leads to understanding the function of advanced human wisdom and intelligence in dealing with more complex objects (systems) such as the universe, the human body, life itself and consciousness. It may help people in developing simple models of the complex world and is believed more conducive to grasping the essence of human life and gradually removing the veil over many wonderful phenomena of Chinese culture and TCM. For example, TCM's 'Imagery Analogism' is attained in the quiet state of well-trained meditation practitioners. Their intuition and inspiration have significant advantages in understanding complexity of objects such as the universe, human body, life, and consciousness. The methodology of thinking helps to derive simple models so as to better grasp the essence of complex objects. Many phenomena of Chinese culture and TCM acupuncture remain incompletely understood. This paper selects a few examples to discuss, including human consciousness and sub-consciousness, human body's energy system, invisible qi, functional phenomena as well as special functions of the heart and Triple Energizer (Three Jiao) in six Fu organs. The 'new finding of an unrecognized interstitium in human tissues' as declared by a group of Western scholars is actually referring to Triple Energizer that had already been revealed and written in Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) three thousand years ago. Both the concept and functions of Triple Energizer have been utilized throughout TCM clinical practices. Through the discussion, the authors attempt to explain the superiority of TCM theories, to strengthen the confidence for TCM innovation and Chinese culture because they believe that offering an integration of TCM practice into the public health and life science would advance human wellbeing and pave a right path for TCM mission and development.