Predicting type 2 diabetes using Sasang constitutional medicine

Abstract

Aims/IntroductionSasang constitutional medicine (SCM) has existed in traditional Korean medicine for more than 100 years. SCM consists of four different types: So‐Eum (SE), So‐Yang (SY), Tae‐Eum (TE) and Tae‐Yang (TY). It is of great importance that the Sasang constitution type (SCT) be evaluated accurately and recognized by medical communities.Materials and MethodsFrom the Ansung–Ansan prospective cohort study, 10,038 participants were recruited from the years 2001–2002. Of 10,038 original participants, 2,460 participants underwent SCT evaluation. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to predict diabetes during the 10‐year follow‐up period.ResultsDuring 10 years of follow up (22,007 person‐years), 472 incidence cases (215/10,000 Incidence Density) of type 2 diabetes mellitus were documented. We identified that the TE group was significantly older, more obese, and had higher blood pressure, glucose metabolic values and lipid profiles levels. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confident intervals (CI) for type 2 diabetes were 1.696 (95% CI 1.204–2.39, P = 0.003) for TE when compared with the SE type. After controlling all potential confounders, the Cox proportional hazard model showed that RR was 1.635 (95% CI 1.111–2.406) in non‐obese (body mass index <25) TE, and RR was 1.725 (95% CI 1.213–2.452) in obese (body mass index ≥25) TE when compared with the SE type. We did not find any differences when comparing SE and SY types. The findings shows that TE is a higher risk factor for type 2 Diabetes, independent of obesity level.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that the TE type, independent of obesity level, is a strong risk factor of type 2 diabetes.

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

“…Various studies suggest that the TE type is prone to metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and ischemic stroke 10, 18, 29, 30, 43, 44, 45. Although we found no significant pathological abnormalities in the serum indices of any tested sample, the higher BMI and body weight of the TE type could be risk factors for these diseases.…”

“…According to the SCM theory, the imbalance of energy metabolism under pathological conditions affects the sensitive hypoactive organ of each type, which can cause disease 2 . Because SC types are reflected by integrative systemic features and are closely associated with metabolic status, SCM can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic syndromes or diseases including obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. These previous studies provide strong evidence of correlations between SC types and particular diseases, suggesting the value of SC types as holistic biomarkers for a wide range of diseases.…”

Recent progress and prospects in Sasang constitutional medicine: A traditional type of physiome-based treatment

“…In a 10 year longitudinal study, Cho evaluated and compared the risk factors for diabetes mellitus in each constitution. In this paper, the risk of diabetes for the TE constitution was 1.7 times greater than that of the SE constitution (Cho et al, 2013a). Jang proved that Sasang constitution itself can be a risk factor for abdominal obesity (Jang et al, 2013c).…”

Body temperature regulation: Sasang typology-based perspective

“…Since then, various studies employed advanced body composition analysis such as multifrequency bioelectric impedance analysis23, 36 or dual energy X-ray absorptiometry 39 . According to the recently published studies by Cho et al 20 and Pham et al, 23 the average body fat varied between 28.6% and 28.7% for the TE type, between 20.2% and 22.2% for the SE type, and between 22.1% and 26.2% for the SY type (Table 1). As the body of TE individuals contains more fat, the HC at a given body mass of this body type is consequently lower than that in other Sasang types.…”