The Association Between Body Constitution and Meridian Energy in Prediabetes

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories assert that body constitution and meridian energy are the foundations for disease prevention. However, few studies have incorporated TCM concepts into risk factors. This study aimed to examine the association between body constitution and meridian energy in individuals with prediabetes. We conducted a matched case-control study that included 60 individuals with prediabetes. Finally, the reseachers have found that body constitution may be a risk factor fpr progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus in individuals with prediabetes.

Detailed Description
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Objective: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories assert that body constitution and meridian energy are the foundations for disease prevention. However, few studies have incorporated TCM concepts into risk factors. This study aimed to examine the association between body constitution and meridian energy in patients with prediabetes. Methods: The researchers conducted a matched case-control study from January to December 2019 that included 30 adults with prediabetes and 30 healthy controls, matched for age and sex, recruited from the outpatient clinic and health examination center at a teaching hospital in northern Taiwan. Body constitution was measured using the Body Constitution Questionnaire, which classifies the constitution as yang-deficiency, ying-deficiency, and phlegm-stasis, while meridian energy was measured using an Aetoscan meridian energy device (Aeto Technology Co. Ltd., Taiwan). The associations between body constitution, meridian energy, and prediabetes were examined using binary logistic regression analyses. Conclusion: Body constitution may be a risk factor for progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with prediabetes and warrants further study.

Official Title
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The Association Between Body Constitution and Meridian Energy Among Individuals With Prediabetes

Conditions
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Prediabetes

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Routine care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Previously diagnosed prediabetes with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 5.7-6.4% and a f asting plasma glucose (FPG) of 100-125 mg/dL Aged ≥20 provided informed consent The controls were healthy individuals whose FPG level was 100 mg/dL in at least two blood tests in the past 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: Use of a hypoglycemic agent within the past 3 months Self-reported catastrophic illness in the last 6 months Pregnant and/or lactating Presence of pacemaker.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Prediabetes cases<br> | Other: Routine care<br>* Both two groups received the same routine care.<br>|
| Healthy controls<br> | Other: Routine care<br>* Both two groups received the same routine care.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body constitution of body constitution questionnaire (BCQ) | The scale range from 44 to 220, with higher scores indicating larger deficiencies. | One year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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prediabetes, traditional Chinese medicine, body constitution