ABSTRACT
Objective To examine the relationship between traditional Chinese medical (TCM)constitution and chronic diseases in order to provide suggestions to TCM health care and health management among community residents.Methods 3100 residents over 50 years old in 4 communities from Jiangdong district were selected by random sampling method. TCM constitution and prevalence of chronic diseases of residents were investigated by physical examination and questionnaire.Results 34.57% of the residents were living with the constitution of yin -yang harmony,while the constitution of phlegm -dampness was 21.38% which accounted for the most part of 8 biased constitutions.The percentages of constitution of blood stasis and phlegm-dampness among residents with chronic diseases were 22.77%and 2.57% respectively,which were significantly higher than those without (15.77% and 0.33% respectively).The percentage of constitution of blood stasis or phlegm-dampness among residents with hypertension was higher than those without.While among hyper-lipidemia residents,the positive rates of constitution of blood stasis,phlegm-dampness and allergic were higher,among residents with diabetes or cardio-cerebro-vascular diseases the positive rate of constitution of blood stasis was higher.Exercise,smoking and sleeping behavior were related to TCM constitution.The proportion of constitution of qi asthenia,damp-heat and qi stagnation among residents with low body mass index (BMI<18.5)was significantly larger.Conclusion TCM constitution among the middle -aged and the elderly was correlated to chronic diseases.Lack of exercise,smoking,irregular sleeping and low or high BMI were positively related to biased constitutions.