Classifying Chinese Medicine Constitution Using Multimodal Deep-Learning Model

Objective:To develop a multimodal deep-learning model for classifying Chinese medicine constitution,i.e.,the balanced and unbalanced constitutions,based on inspection of tongue and face images,pulse waves from palpation,and health information from a total of 540 subjects.Methods:This study data consisted of tongue and face images,pulse waves obtained by palpation,and health information,including personal information,life habits,medical history,and current symptoms,from 540 subjects(202 males and 338 females).Convolutional neural networks,recurrent neural networks,and fully connected neural networks were used to extract deep features from the data.Feature fusion and decision fusion models were constructed for the multimodal data.Results:The optimal models for tongue and face images,pulse waves and health information were ResNet18,Gate Recurrent Unit,and entity embedding,respectively.Feature fusion was superior to decision fusion.The multimodal analysis revealed that multimodal data compensated for the loss of information from a single mode,resulting in improved classification performance.Conclusions:Multimodal data fusion can supplement single model information and improve classification performance.Our research underscores the effectiveness of multimodal deep learning technology to identify body constitution for modernizing and improving the intelligent application of Chinese medicine.

Characteristics and demographic factors of traditional Chinese medicine constitution types among elderly individuals in China:A national multistage cluster random study Author links open overlay panel

Objective To reveal the distribution characteristics and demographic factors of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution among elderly individuals in China.Methods Elderly individuals from seven regions in China were selected as samples in this study using a multistage cluster random sampling method.The basic information questionnaire and Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(Elderly Edition)were used.Descriptive statistical analysis,chi-squared tests,and binary logistic regression analysis were used.Results The single balanced constitution(BC)accounted for 23.9%.The results of the major TCM constitution types showed that BC(43.2%)accounted for the largest proportion and unbalanced constitutions ranged from 0.9%to 15.7%.East China region(odds ratio[OR]=2.097;95%confidence interval[CI],1.912 to 2.301),married status(OR=1.341;95%CI,1.235 to 1.457),and managers(OR=1.254;95%CI,1.044 to 1.505)were significantly associated with BC.Age>70 years was associated with qi-deficiency constitution and blood stasis constitution(BSC).Female sex was significantly associated with yang-deficiency constitution(OR=1.646;95%CI,1.52 to 1.782).Southwest region was significantly associated with phlegm-dampness constitution(OR=1.809;95%CI,1.569 to 2.086).North China region was significantly associated with inherited special constitution(OR=2.521;95%CI,1.569 to 4.05).South China region(OR=2.741;95%CI,1.997 to 1.3.763),Central China region(OR=8.889;95%CI,6.676 to 11.835),senior middle school education(OR=2.442;95%CI,1.932 to 3.088),and managers(OR=1.804;95%CI,1.21 to 2.69)were significantly associated with BSC.Conclusions This study defined the distribution characteristics and demographic factors of TCM constitution in the elderly population.Adjusting and improving unbalanced constitutions,which are correlated with diseases,can help promote healthy aging through the scientific management of these demographic factors.

Association of Chinese Medicine Constitution Susceptibility to Diabetic Nephropathy and Transforming Growth Factor-β1(T869C)Gene Polymorphism

Objective：To explore the association of Chinese medicine constitution susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy（DN） and transforming growth factor（TGF）-β1（T869C） gene polymorphism.Methods：TGF-β1 gene polymorphism detected with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism（PCRRFLP） was screened for 180 DN cases and 180 type 2 diabetic mellitus（T2DM） cases without combined DN. Patients with DN were surveyed epidemiologically with constitution in the Chinese medicine questionnaire （CCMQ）.Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to study the correlation between nine types of Chinese medicine constitution and TGF-β1（T869C） gene polymorphisms.Results：The DN group has a higher frequency of TGF-β1（T869C） gene polymorphism than the T2DM group,and CC/CT genotypes than the T2DM group[CC,CT,TT（DN group）：88,87,5（cases） versus（T2DM group） 71,73,36（cases）,P0.05].The phlegm-dampness constitution,damp-heat constitution,and blood stasis constitution have correlations with TGF-β1 （T869C） gene polymorphism.Conclusion：Chinese medicine constitutions were associated with TGF-β1（T869C） gene polymorphism,a potential predictor of susceptibility to DN in T2DM patients.

Fecal-associated microbiome differences between traditional Chinese medicine qi-deficiency and balanced constitutions

Objective:To explore the structural and functional characteristics of the fecal-associated microbiome(FAM)in a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)qi-deficiency constitution(QDC)by comparing with balanced constitution(BC)and screen the related biomarkers.Methods:In this cross-sectional study,the TCM constitutions of subjects were determined based on published the Classification and Determination of constitution in TCM and further confirmed by a TCM clinician.Clinical characteristics were recorded,and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing using the Illumina Miseq platform.The FAM structure was described using alpha-diversity indexes,beta-diversity indexes,and the relative abundances of the dominant taxa.Differences in the FAM distribution and function were analyzed with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test,MetagenomeSeq,and LEfSe analysis,after which a receiver operating characteristic curve based on the specific operational taxonomic units(OTUs)was constructed to calculate the area under the curve.Results:Our study population was composed of 22 BCs and 9 QDCs.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the distribution of clinical characteristics or alpha-diversity indexes,except for the sweets preference and blood glucose level.In principal coordinate analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis,the bacterial communities in the BC group samples and QDC group samples clustered separately.Notably,there were 214 OTUs significantly distributed between groups in the MetagenomeSeq analysis,200 OTUs identified by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test,and 6 OTUs found by the LEfSe analysis.Predicted function analysis revealed that six metabolic pathways were distinctly distributed between the two groups.The area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve based on the four specific OTUs was 0.88.Conclusion:Unique FAM structural and related functional characteristics are displayed in individuals with a QDC,and four specific OTUs could be used as QDC biomarkers to assist in clinical diagnosis.

Influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Type on the Susceptibility of Hypertensive Cases to Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Objective：To explore the influence of Chinese medicine constitution type on the susceptibility of hypertensive patients to intracerebral haemorrhage.Methods：Primary hypertensive patients were studied and divided into the hypertension and the hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage groups,depending on whether or not the patients had intracerebral haemorrhage.The demographic characteristics,physiological characteristics,living habits,biochemical tests,other chronic diseases,Chinese medicine constitution type,etc.were collected and compared between the two groups.The neurological deficit in the hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage group was also compared among the different constitution types.Results：A total of 304 patients participated in this investigation,including 213 cases in the hypertension group and 91 cases in the hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage group.The percentages of dampness-heat and qi-depression types in the intracerebral haemorrhage group were greater than those with the same types in the hypertension group（20.9%vs 6.1%,22.0%vs 8.0%;P〈0.05）.The percentages of each constitution type were different between genders in both groups.In addition,there were more male cases（14/20） with qi-depression type and more female cases（7/8） with phlegm-dampness type in the hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage group than those with the same types（3/17 and 9/34,respectively） in the hypertension group（P〈0.05）.The cases with phlegm-dampness and qi-depression types had greater levels of blood lipids in the intracerebral haemorrhage group than those with the same types in the hypertension group（P〈0.05）.Furthermore,the cases with the qi-deficiency type presented with a more severe neurological deficit than those with the other types（P〈0.05）.Conclusions：Chinese medicine constitution type might have an impact on the susceptibility of hypertensive patients to have an intracerebral haemorrhage.The heat-dampness and qi-depression types might lead to greater susceptibility than the other types.In addition,the patient＇s gender and blood lipids might also influence the susceptibility along with the constitution type.

Correlation between Chinese Medicine Constitution and Skin Types: A Study on 187 Japanese Women

Objective:Chinese medicine(CM)is widely applied in cosmetics and dermatology.The theory of CM believes that skin characterizations reflect the internal status of balanee which can be represented by body con stitution,but relevant studies are few.This study aims to analyze the relation ship betwee n body constitution of CM and skin condition.Methods:Participants were recruited from a private health and beauty clinic in Tokyo,Japan from June 2013 to January 2015.Each participant was assessed using Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire(CCMQ)for body constitution and the Baumann Skin Type Questionnaire for skin type.Spearman's rank correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression were used to investigate the effect of body constitutions on skin types.Results:A total of 187 Japanese females were recruited in this study.Higher dampness-heat and phlegm-dampness scores were associated with oilier skin while higher qi-depression and blood-stasis were associated with drier skin.Higher score in Inherited Special and yin-deficiency constitutions tended to have more sensitive skin,and higher score in blood-stasis was associated with more pigmented skin and wrinkies.Conclusions:Our findings supported the"Constitution-Skin Correlated theory"in CM.Understanding of the association between skin conditions and the body constitutions might be helpful to explore more individualized treatment options for skin care and dermatological diseases through modifications of the unique body constitutions using CM modalities.

Feasibility of Assessing Health State by Detecting Redox State of Human Body Based on Chinese Medicine Constitution

This article discussed the feasibility of assessing health state by detecting redox state of human body. Firstly, the balance of redox state is the basis of homeostasis, and the balance ability of redox can reflect health state of human body. Secondly, the redox state of human body is a sensitive index of multiple risk factors of health such as age, external environment and psychological factors. It participates in the occurrence and development of multiple diseases involving metabolic diseases and nervous system diseases, and can serve as a cut-in point for treatment of these diseases. Detecting the redox state of high risk people is significantly important for early detection and treatment of disease. The blood plasma and urine could be selected to detect, which is convenient. It is pointed that the indexes not only involve oxidation product and antioxidant enzyme but also redox couple. Chinese medicine constitution reflects the state of body itself and the ability of adapting to external environment, which is consistent with the connotation of health. It is found that there are nine basic types of constitution in Chinese population, which provides a theoretical basis of health preservation, preventive treatment of disease and personalized treatment. With the combination of redox state detection and the Chinese medicine constitution theory, the heath state can be systemically assessed by conducting large-scale epidemiological survey with classified detection on redox state of human body.

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

Objective: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.Methods: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.Results: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.Conclusion: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.

A Study on the Correlation Between Cerebral Small Vascular Disease and Constitution Types of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objective:To study the correlation between cerebral small vascular disease and constitution types of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM).Methods:The severity of lacunar infarction and leukoaraiosis were graded in 230 patients with cerebral small vascular disease,and they were divided into TCM constitution types.The survey of TCM constitution types was carried out by using standardized TCM constitution scale,and order multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between TCM constitution types with severity of lacunar infarction and leukoaraiosis.Results:Yang-deficiency(阳虚)constitution,blood-stasis constitution and phlegm-dampness constitution were the most common TCM constitution types in patients with lacunar infarction,accounting for 33.7%,12.5%,11.5%respectively.Yang-deficiency constitution,blood-stasis constitution and Yin-deficiency(阴虚)constitution were the most common TCM constitution types in patients with leukoaraiosis,accounting for 28.8%,18.5%,13.7%respectively.There were significant differences in lacunar infarction of Yang-deficiency constitution and blood stasis constitution(P<0.05),and there were significant differences in leukoaraiosis of phlegmdampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution(P<0.05).Single factor analysis showed that the main risk factors of lacunar infarction were age,smoking,alcohol consumption,Yang-deficiency constitution and blood-stasis constitution,and the main risk factors of leukoaraiosis were age,smoking,hypertensive disease,phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution.The ordered multivariate Logistic regression analysis found that the severity of lacunar infarction was closely related to age,and the severity of leukoplosis was closely related to age,smoking and hypertension disease.Conclusion:TCM constitution types of lacunar infarction in patients with small cerebral vascular disease is mainly Yang-deficiency constitution and blood-stasis constitution,and the risk factors include age,smoking,alcohol consumption,Yang-deficiency constitution and blood-stasis constitution.Age is closely related with lacunar infarction.TCM constitution types with leukoaraiosis are mainly phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution,and the risk factors are age,smoking,hypertension disease,phlegm-dampness constitution and blood-stasis constitution.Age,smoking and hypertension disease are closely related with leukoaraiosis.

Fecal-associated microbiome differences between phlegm-dampness constitution and balanced constitution

Objective: This study aimed to explore the structural and functional characteristics of the fecalassociated microbiome(FAM) between the phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC) and balanced constitution(BC), and to screen the related specific operational taxonomic unit(OTU) biomarkers.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. After strictly identifying the constitution of subjects, their clinical index was recorded and counted. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, and the relative abundance of dominant bacterial taxa were used to describe the FAM structure, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Metagenome Seq, and linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEf Se) were used to screen specific bacterial taxa. Specific OTUs were screened to construct receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves.Results: Thirty-two subjects were enrolled, including 22 subjects with BC and 10 subjects with PDC.There were significant differences in cold preference, levels of aspartate transaminase, β2-microglobulin,and creatine kinase MB, and alpha diversity indices(Shannon and Shannoneven) between the two groups. In principal coordinate analysis by abund-jaccard distance measure and partial least squares discriminant analysis, bacterial communities clustered separately between the two groups. Furthermore,based on Metagenome Seq, LEf Se, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, a total of 43, 18, and 130 OTUs were differentially distributed between BC group and PDC group, respectively, and OTU200, OTU133, and OTU353 were screened when P≤.01. The area under the ROC curve constructed from the 3 selected OTUs was 0.93.Conclusion: The FAM structure and related functional characteristics of the PDC group differed from those of the BC group. In particular, OTU200, OTU133, and OTU353 can be used as unique markers of PDC to assist clinical diagnosis.

Structure and function of the fecal-associated microbiome in qi stagnation constitution

Objective:To clarify the structural and functional characteristics of the gut microbiota in individuals with qi stagnation constitution(QSC)and identify the potential biomarkers related to QSC.Methods:This cross-sectional study involved individuals with QSC and balanced constitution(BC)confirmed by TCM clinicians.The clinical features were recorded,and fecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing.The structure of the fecal-associated microbiome(FAM)was described by the alpha-diversity indexes,beta-distances,and relative abundances of dominant taxa.The differences in FAM distribution were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test,MetagenomeSeq,and LEfSe analysis.The 16S rDNA gene sequences were assigned to the KEGG dataset to predict the functional information of bacterial metabolic pathways by using PICRUSt.Differences in functional pathways between groups were assessed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.The ROC curve based on specific operational taxonomic units(OTUs)was constructed,and the AUC was calculated.Results:Twenty-two individuals with BC and 8 with QSC were recruited.Significant differences between the two groups were found in body mass index,health status,and low-density lipoprotein,etc.There was no significant difference in the alpha-diversity index.PCoA showed no evident clustering of bacterial communities according to constitutions.Bacteroidaceae,Lachnospiraceae,Ruminococcaceae,and Prevotellaceae were the four common bacteria with high abundances.Notably,MetagenomeSeq,LEfSe analysis,and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test identified significantly different distributions of 66,42,and 36 OTUs,respectively.Predictive function analysis showed that 13 metabolic pathways were significantly differentially distributed,including those related to fatty acid synthesis.Five specific OTUs were selected as potential biomarkers of a QSC,and the AUC was 0.94.Conclusion:Individuals with QSC have unique FAM structure and related functional characteristics.Five specific OTUs were identified to serve as potentially effective biomarkers related to QSC.

Characteristics of 240 randomized controlled trials for adjusting constitution in preventive treatment of disease:A bibliometric analysis

Background:A growing number of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)have explored the significance of adjusting constitution for preventive treatment of disease in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).In this study,we sought to comprehensively analyze the characteristics of these RCTs.Methods:All RCTs related to constitutional adjustment and preventive treatment of disease were included in the study.Literature was screened searching seven databases,including Pubmed,Web of Science,Embase,SinoMed,CNKI,Chongqing VIP,and Wangfang Database,from inception to December 2018.Data pertaining to bibliometrics,participants,and interventions were extracted and analyzed.Results:Two hundred and forty papers were published between 2007 and 2018,involving 240 RCTs with 55977 total participants.Sample size in these RCTs ranged from 30 to 7800.Among them,59 RCTs addressed disease prevention prior to onset involving 11 healthy states of participants,mainly for general health or sub-health population(40.68%)using health care and non-drug therapy.In control the development of existing disease(n Z 174),59 diseases were involved.Based on the number of RCTs and sample sizes,diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus,primary hypertension,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,and hyperlipoproteinemia accounted for 51.15%of the total patients studied.Drug therapy as an intervention was frequently used.In preventing recurrence after recovery(n Z 7),over 4 kinds of health status in participants were involved.Drug therapy combined with health care was mostly used.Most RCTs reported positive outcomes,with only one reporting negative findings(1/240).Conclusion:The number of RCTs of constitutional adjustment on preventive treatment of disease has gradually increased since 2012.Participants and intervention measures from the above-mentioned types of RCTs exhibit their own characteristics.Future systematic reviews or meta-analyses on constitutional adjustment for preventive treatment of disease are warranted.

Study on Sleep Quality and TCM Constitution of Patients with General Tonic-clonic Epilepsy

Objective:To explore the relationship between interseizure sleep quality and Traditional Chinese medicien(TCM)constitution in patients with generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy,and to provide theoretical and practical basis for improving sleep quality and better controlling epileptic seizures by adjusting biased constitution of epilepsy patients.Methods:Two hundred and thirty eight epilepsy patients who met the standard and went to the epilepsy clinic of Neurology Department of Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital were sampled conveniently.Collect basic information such as age,gender and course of disease,and test and fill out"TCM Body Mass Table"to judge TCM constitution type,"Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale"to judge sleep quality grade,and useχ^(2) test to infer whether there is any difference in sleep quality of patients with different ages,genders and course of disease;Rank sum test was used to infer whether there were differences in sleep quality among different constitutions.Results:There was no significant difference in sleep quality among patients with different age,sex and course of disease(P>0.05).There were significant differences in sleep quality among patients with different constitutions(P<0.001).Among them,the number of peaceful quality groups accounted for 44.31%,and the number of biased quality groups accounted for 55.69%;There were statistically significant differences in sleep quality between calming and qi deficiency,yang deficiency,blood stasis,damp-heat,qi stagnation and yin deficiency(P<0.05);There was a significant difference between phlegm-dampness quality and qi stagnation quality in sleep quality(P<0.05).Conclusion:The sleep quality of patients with epilepsy with mild constitution is significantly higher than that of patients with biased constitution such as qi deficiency,yang deficiency,yin deficiency,damp-heat,blood stasis and qi stagnation.In addition to phlegmdampness quality and Qi stagnation quality of patients sleep quality comparison,the biased constitution of patients sleep quality were not statistically significant.Therefore,in the long-term process of drug treatment of epilepsy,we can adjust the biased constitution of most patients,improve sleep,and then better control the seizure.

Logistics Regression Analysis between TCM Constitution Types of Patients with Hypertension,Insomnia and ABPM,PSQI

[Objectives]The research aimed to explore the distribution characteristics of TCM constitution types of patients with hypertension and insomnia,and study the clinical characteristics of patients with different constitutions,in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of patients with hypertension and insomnia.[Methods]Cross sectional observation method was used,and 420 patients with hypertension and insomnia were selected.Required information was collected,and the constitution type of traditional Chinese medicine was determined,and relevant data were recorded.SPSS and Logistic regression analysis method were used to explore the correlation between the distribution of TCM constitution types and gender,age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV,PSQI score,etc.[Results]Among 420 patients,the proportion of gentleness constitution was the most,and others in turn were Qi deficiency constitution>Yang deficiency constitution>phlegm dampness constitution>Qi stagnation constitution>Yin deficiency constitution>blood stasis constitution>damp heat constitution>special constitution.Among male patients,the proportion of gentleness constitution was the most.Among female patients,the proportion of Qi deficiency constitution was the most.In each constitution,the proportion of men and women was different,and the difference in gentleness constitution,Qi deficiency constitution and Yin deficiency constitution had statistical significance(P<0.05).The proportion of gentleness constitution for young and middle-aged patients was the most,while elderly patients with Qi deficiency constitution was the most.There was difference in the distribution of TCM constitution in different age groups,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with the patients with gentleness constitution,the patients with Qi deficiency constitution,Yang deficiency constitution,Yin deficiency constitution,damp heat constitution,blood stasis constitution and Qi stagnation constitution had different differences in terms of age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV and PSQI score,and there was statistical significance(P<0.05).Except damp heat constitution,blood stasis constitution and special constitution,other constitutions had certain correlation with age,24 h-SBP,24 h-DBP,24 h-BPV and PSQI score.[Conclusions]TCM constitution types of patients with hypertension and insomnia were dominant by gentleness constitution,Qi deficiency constitution and Yang deficiency constitution.The distribution of TCM constitution in different gender and age groups was different,and different TCM constitution was related to ABPM and PSQI.

Current Status of Objectification of Four Diagnostic Methods on Constitution Recognition of Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine(CM)has thousands of years of experience in prevention of diseases.As for CM,people's constitution is closely related to their health status,thus recognition of CM constitution is the fundamental and core contentof research on constitution types.With development of technologies such as sensors,arificial intelligence and big data,objectification of the four diagnostic methods of CM has gradually matured,bringing changes in the mindset and innovations in technical means for recognition of CM constitution.This paper presents a systematic review of the latest research trends in constitution recognition based on objectification of diagnostic methods in CM.

Research on Constitution of Chinese Medicine and Implementation of Translational Medicine

Translational medicine is a new concept presented in recent decades, the core of which is to build a bridge between basic medical research and clinical application. From the beginning of constitution of Chinese medicine, clinical application has been given priority. Therefore, the idea of translational medicine is fully demonstrated in the research into the three key scientific problems of ＂classification of constitution of Chinese medicine＂, ＂relationship between constitution and disease＂ and ＂adjustment of constitution＂. Under its guidance, not only was the systematic theory of constitution of Chinese medicine established, but also the Constitution of Chinese Medicine Scale and the Standards of Classification and determination of Constitution of Chinese Medicine were developed, which translates methods of classifying the nine constitutional types into guidance for prevention of disease, management of health and clinical application. The research findings of constitution of Chinese medicine have been applied in clinical practice and public health, establishing the diagnosis and treatment model of constitution-disease-syndrome differentiation. The nationwide application of constitution differentiation has shown good effect. In the future, constitution of Chinese medicine should strengthen the evidence-based research and multi-disciplinary cooperation, and establish a research team on comprehensive constitution of Chinese medicine and translational medicine, to translate the findings into clinical practice and public health more accurately and quickly.

Individualized medicine,health medicine,and constitutional theory in Chinese medicine

The patterns of modern science and changes in the medical model can result in the transformation of the current state of individualized and health medicines into being the primary trend in medical development.Chinese and Western medical systems are dissimilar in terms of value orientations,thinking style,and research directions because of their different historical and cultural backgrounds.Individualized treatment in modern medicine is mainly established based on individual genome information and the differences in mononucleotide polymorphisms.However,such treatment method is expensive,creates an uncertain genetic marker,and leads to different result interpretations,among other problems.The Chinese constitutional theory developed in the 1970s expresses the principle behind Chinese health medicine and individual treatment and provides the corresponding methods.The Chinese constitutional theory divides the constitution of the Chinese population into nine categories based on established classification criteria.It promotes the study of the relationship of each constitution to diseases and Chinese medicine preparation toward adjusting the constitution and preventing diseases.The theory also provides methods and tools for individualized treatment.Constitution identification shows the direction and provides the core technology for the evaluation of the health status.By combining the developments in modern biotechnology,new diagnostic techniques and treatment models of constitution-differentiation,disease-differentiation,and syndrome-differentiation can be established for the development of individualized Chinese medicine treatment and health medicine for the international medical community.

Development and evaluation of short form of constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire:a national epidemiological survey data of 21948 cases

OBJECTIVE:To develop the best short form of constitution in Chinese medicine questionnaire(CCMQ)and evaluate its psychometric properties in Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 21948 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.RESULTS: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.CONCLUSION: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.

Optimal exercise intensity and volume to impact rats with Traditional Chinese Medicine phlegm-dampness constitution

Objective:We aim to investigate the effects of different exercise intensities and volumes on Phlegm-dampness constitution(PDC).Methods:The rats were fed with high-fat food and lived in 75%–85%humidity for 6 weeks to establish the model of PDC.Then PDC rats were screened and intervened by varying exercise intensities for 8 weeks.Weight,constitution scores,blood and liver tissues were collected to detect the concentration of serum total cholesterol(Tch),triglyceride(TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),homocysteine(Hcy),blood glucose(GLU),alanine transaminase(ALT)and percentage of lipid droplet area in liver tissue(PLDA).Results:The weight,Tch,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,Hcy,GLU,and ALT of rats in moderate-intensity exercise group returned to normal.The rats with high-intensity or low-intensity exercise did not recover as well as moderate-intensity.Conclusion:Different exercise intensities and volumes have different effects on PDC,moderate-intensity exercise over an 8-week intervention is most appropriate.

Study on the Relationship between Chinese Medicine Constitutive Susceptibility and Diversity of Syndrome in Diabetic Nephropathy

Objective： To explore the relationship between Chinese medicine （CM） constitutive susceptibility and syndrome diversity in diabetic nephropathy （DN）. Methods： 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. Results： 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）. Conclusion： 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.