Objectives The aim of this study was to compare and analyze the difference in physical features, ordinary symptoms and clinical characteristics according to Sasang constitution of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who have visited a Korean medicine hospital.
Methods We selected 45 patients with irritable bowel syndrome who have visited a Korean medicine hospital from April 20, 2015 to June 30, 2022. We retrospectively collected medical history and characteristics of subjects using data of Electronic Medical Record(EMR).
Results Regarding BMI, Sasang Digestive Function Inventory-Total(SDFI-T), Sasang Digestive Function Inventory- eating Habit (SDFI-H) and heat sensitivity, Tae-Eum type was significantly higher than So-Yang and So-Eum types. In case of sweat score, Tae-Eum type was significantly higher than So-Eum type. As for the cold sensitivity, So-Yang and So-Eum types were significantly higher than Tae-Eum type. But there was no obvious difference among 3 groups in SDFI-Appetite (SDFI-A), SDFI-Digestion(SDFI-D), sleep, chest symptoms, Sasang Defecation Inventory(SDI), Sasang Urination Inventory(SUI) and HRV results.
Conclusions BMI, SDFI-T, SDFI-H, cold-heat patterns and sweat could contribute to be used as clinical indicators to distinguish Tae-eum type from other constitutions(So-Yang and So-Eum types) in IBS patients.