Association Between Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Population-based Study in China

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies have demonstrated that sleep problems are associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs): irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, etc, but the relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and FGIDs has not been systematically studied in the general population. This study aims to explore the relationship between EDS and specific types of FGIDs and the effect of the number of FGIDs on EDS. METHODS: A sample of 3600 individuals (aged 18–80 years) was selected from 5 regions in China using a randomized, stratified, multi-stage sampling method. EDS was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, while gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other FGIDs were assessed by Reflux Disease Questionnaire and the Rome II diagnostic criteria, respectively. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 2906 individuals (response rate: 80.72%), and 644 individuals (22.16%) had EDS. EDS was significantly associated with ulcer-like dyspepsia (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.08–5.79), diarrhea-predominant IBS (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.09–3.66), alternating IBS (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.30–4.13), functional constipation (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.20–2.35), and GERD (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08–2.72). Risk of EDS increased along with the increasing numbers of FGIDs: with 1 FGID (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.37–2.15); with 2 FGIDs (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.63–3.62); and with 3 or more FGIDs (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.37–7.78). CONCLUSIONS: FGIDs, such as ulcer-like dyspepsia, diarrhea-predominant IBS, alternating IBS, functional constipation, and GERD, were significantly associated with EDS. Those who suffered from more kinds of FGIDs were more susceptible to EDS.

Therapeutic Observation of Mild Moxibustion for Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands in Female College Students of Different Constitutions / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo explore which body constitution responds the best in the treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands with mild moxibustion, by differentiating the constitution following the self-rating scale for theClassification of Body Constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine.MethodTotally 118 patients were intervened by mild moxibustion, majorly at Jianjing (GB21), but assisted by other points according to the nine constitution types (moderate, qi deficiency, blood stagnation, phlegm-dampness, qi stagnation, damp-heat, yin-deficiency, yang-deficiency, and specific constitutions). The mammary lump, pain in breast, and complicated symptoms were observed before and after intervention by following the self-comparison rules.ResultThere were no significant changes in mammary lumps in the 9 constitution types (P>0.05); the phlegm-dampness, qi-deficiency, blood stagnation, qi stagnation, and yang-deficiency constitutions showed significant improvements in the evaluation of breast pain and complicated symptoms (P0.05).ConclusionMild moxibustion can significantly improve the symptoms in some constitutions, but it seems that dry mild moxibustion is impossible to reverse the organic lesions and its efficacy is rather limited.