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

Abstract

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.

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“…Hemophilia should be suspected in patients with a history of a propensity to bruise during early childhood; spontaneous bleeding (particularly in joints and soft tissues); and excessive bleeding following trauma or surgery [24] . While the history of bleeding usually spans a lifetime, some children with severe hemophilia may not present with symptoms of bleeding until after the first year of age or later, particularly when they begin to walk [38,39] . Patients with mild hemophilia may not have excessive bleeding unless they suffer trauma or surgery [25] .…”