So-Eum Type as an Independent Risk Factor for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Population-Based Study in Korea

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

et al. 2017

Self Cite

Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) is a type of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) that classifies the human constitution into four types. The appearance of the complexion is one of the diagnostic factors of SCM but is rarely used in a quantitative and objective manner for diagnosis. In this study, an analysis using actual clinical data was conducted to assess the use of the complexion as a diagnostic element. A total of 528 Sasang medicine prescriptions from Korea Constitutional Multicenter Bank (KCMB) were classified into either a Cold-prescription group or a Heat-prescription group, and the complexion differences of the patients were analyzed using the * * * color space. After adjusting for age, BMI, and systolic blood pressure, significant differences were observed among the Cold-and Heat-prescription groups within each Sasang constitution. However, when the Sasang constitution was ignored, no significant difference was observed for either sex. This study quantitatively analyzed the complexion of patients, which is used as a diagnostic element in clinical practice. It is hoped that the results will contribute to objective medical treatments in the future, such as determining an appropriate herbal prescription based on the patient's complexion.

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 50%

Differences in Complexion between Cold‐ and Heat‐Prescription Groups in Sasang Medicine

Park

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

et al. 2017

Self Cite

“…These stress hormones have a harmful effect on multiple target organs and systems, with outcomes including chronic pain, immunosuppression, and psychological disorders [ 24 , 25 ]. Our results suggest a partial explanation of clinical data showing that Soumins are vulnerable to stress and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [ 8 ]. Individuals with IBS were known to have the sustained HPA axis activity [ 26 ], and then Soumins showed the highest levels of both cortisol and adrenaline in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…Current genetic science has shown that the genome critically affects the complex processes involved in health and disease [ 5 ], and the SCM classification is presumably related to macrolevel genomic differences among individuals [ 6 ]. Moreover, recent studies have found that certain Sasang types are significantly more susceptible to certain diseases; specifically, those with the Taeumin type are especially susceptible to metabolic syndrome, and those with the Soumin type are especially susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serum Levels of Stress Hormones and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Differ according to Sasang Constitutional Type

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Ahn

et al. 2015

Objectives. This study investigated whether Sasang constitutional type is associated with differences in the serum levels of stress hormones and oxidative stress. Methods. A total of 236 participants (77 males and 159 females) were enrolled. The serum levels of cortisol, adrenaline, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed. Results. The distribution of Sasang constitutional types was as follows: Taeumin, 35.6%; Soumin, 33.0%; and Soyangin, 31.4%. The serum cortisol levels of Taeumin were significantly lower than Soumin (p < 0.1 in both sexes) and Soyangin (p < 0.05 in males and p < 0.1 in females). The adrenaline levels were also significantly lower in Taeumin than in Soumin (p < 0.05 in males and p < 0.1 in females) and Soyangin (p < 0.1 in males). Serum ROS levels were significantly higher in Soyangin than in Taeumin and Soumin (p < 0.05 in males), whereas MDA levels were significantly lower in Taeumin compared with Soumin and Soyangin (p < 0.05 in males and p < 0.1 in females). Conclusion. Taeumin type may tolerate psychological or oxidative stress better than other types, which suggests a biological mechanism to explain the different pathophysiological features of Sasang constitutional types.

“…Recently, several studies have reported that subjects of certain Sasang classifications are notably more susceptible to some disorders; e.g., Taeumin for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome [ 33 , 34 ] and Soumin for irritable bowel syndrome [ 35 ]. We are unable to explain the mechanisms responsible for the association between Sasang constitution and the tendency to develop particular disorders, including FD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sasang constitution affects the prevalence of functional dyspepsia

BMC Complement Altern Med

Ahn

Son

2015

BackgroundFunctional dyspepsia (FD), which is a very common disorder worldwide, is known to be caused by multiple factors including environmental and genetic factors. Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) is a component of traditional Korean medicine that emphasizes inherited characteristics of the physical and psychological patterns of a patient. This study investigated whether the prevalence of FD differs depending on Sasang classification.MethodsA total 517 subjects (190 males and 327 females) were recruited, and interviewed for the presence of FD using a Rome III-based questionnaire. The Sasang constitution of all subjects were diagnosed using a Sasang constitutional analytical tool (SCAT). A Chi-square test was performed to compare prevalence of DF among different Sasang constitutional types.ResultsOf the 517 subjects, 115 (22.2 %) met the diagnostic criteria for FD, and the prevalence was significantly higher in females (26.9 %) than males (14.2 %, p < 0.01). The Sasang-constitution-based prevalence among all subjects was 27.5 % for Taeumin, 23.1 % for Soumin, and 16.4 % for Soyangin (p = 0.055). When compared by sex, the prevalence of FD among Sasang types showed significantly different patterns between males and females (p < 0.05); in females with FD, Taeumin predominated (32.5 % compared with 29.5 % and 18.8 % for Soumin and Soyangin, respectively; p < 0.05), whereas males with FD displayed a higher prevalence of Soumin (17.3 % compared with 9.1 % and 11.3 % for Taeumin and Soyangin, respectively; p > 0.05).ConclusionsThis study identified significant differences in FD prevalence depending on Sasang constitution and sex. Our findings provide data to guide future research on the prevention and management of FD.