Associations of traditional Chinese medicine body constitution and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study of a Taiwanese medical center.

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to investigate associations between baseline body constitutions (BCs) in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and all-cause mortality in Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 887 individuals with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in managed care in 2010 were included. These individuals were followed up until 2015, and their mortality status was determined through the use of Taiwan National Death Datasets. At baseline, BC status of participants, including Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and phlegm stasis, was assessed using a well-developed Body Constitutions Questionnaire. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

During 6807.2 person-years of follow-up of 887 participants, with an average follow-up period of 7.7 years, a total of 190 individuals died, resulting in an incidence density of 0.0279 person-years. Yin deficiency was associated with all-cause mortality (HR, 95% CI: 1.39, 1.02-1.90). This study indicates that individuals diagnosed with Yin deficiency in TCM, characterized by symptoms such as thirst, reduced urine volume, hard stool, and hot flushes, had a 39% higher risk of all-cause mortality.

DISCUSSION

The findings may provide information for TCM practitioners on tailoring treatment plans for persons with type 2 diabetes. No conclusive statements can be made on the basis of the preliminary data presented here. Controlled prospective studies are warranted.