• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.195-207
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• 2013

Objectives This study aimed to examine differences in the hepatic function disorders and prevalence rates of liver diseases in accordance with the Sasang constitutional type, and to analyze whether Sasang constitution is a significant risk factor for fatty liver. Methods A total of 1211 patients who underwent health check-up at the Ilsan Hospital of Dongguk University and had their physical constitutions diagnosed by a specialist in Sasang constitutional medicine from October 31, 2011 to September 28, 2012 were used as the subjects of this study. Presence of hepatobiliary diseases was analyzed from the results of the hepatic function test, lipid test and viral hepatitis infection marker test in the biochemistry tests, and abdominal ultrasonography. Results & Conclusion Subjects of the study were composed of 691 males and 520 females and, in terms of Sasang constitution distribution, 550 Taeeumin, 343 Soeumin and 318 Soyangin. As the results of analysis of prevalence rates in accordance with Sasang constitutions, significant differences were observed in the prevalence rates of abnormal groups in the cases of AST, ALT, GGT, Triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and all of their prevalence rates were in the descending order of Taeeumin, Soyangin and Soeumin. Soeumin displayed significantly higher positive rate for HBs Ab in comparison to Taeeumin and Soyangin. In the results of abdominal ultrasonography, the prevalence rates of fatty liver displayed significant differences and were in the descending order of Taeeumin, Soyangin and Soeumin. And as the result of logistic regression analysis in order to find the risk factors of fatty liver, the Sasang constitution was found to be a significant risk factor for fatty liver. The odds ratio of Taeeumin in fatty liver was found to be 1.634 higher than Soeumin and 1.773 higher than Soyangin

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.105-114
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate correlation with food preference of subjects in three constitution groups on the view point of constitutional medicine. The constitutions of 124 college students(male 80, female 44) was classified by QSCC II method. Food preference of the subjects was surveyed in accordance with suggested foods for each constitution and was analyzed using Hedonic scale. The distribution of the constitutional revealed that Soeum individuals accounts 53%, followed by ; Soyang 19%, Taeum 28%. For men, sorghum, potatoes, beef, scombroid, oyster, saury, octopus, codfish, walleye pollack, shrimp, croaker, pineapple, eggplant, leek, pumpkin, toenjang, draft beer, diluted liquor, coffee, cocoa were statistically different in food preference score by sasang constitution(p<0.05). For woman, chicken, pollack roe, a walleye pollack, persimmon, jujube, melon, citron, celery, burdock, vinegar, bean-paste soup, draft beer, ginseng, honey were statistically different in food preference score by sasang constitution(p<0.05). Association of sasang constitutions and food thought to be harmful or healthy to each constitution was analyzed. But Food preference score of food thought to be harmful or healthy were not statistically different in score among sasang constitutions. This results suggested that food intake patterns of subjects were associated with sasang constitutional food in parts.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.32-45
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• 2005

1. Objectives The purpose of this study was to find out prevalence of chronic diseases according to Sasang constitutional. 2. Methods The medical records of 1,453 subjects who have taken health examinations and diagnosis of Sasang constitution from January 2003 to June 2003 at a health examination center of a university hospital in Seoul were reviewed. Sociodemographic factors and the prevalences of chronic diseases according to Sasang Constitution are compared and analyzed. 3. Results (1) Among the 1,453 subjects, 683(47.0%) were Taeumin, 421(29.0%) were Soyangin, and 349(24.0%) were Soeumin. (2) The prevalences of gastric polyp, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, abnormal liver function and fatty liver of T aeurnin were significantly higher than those of the other constitutions (p-value<0.05). And the prevalences of hepatic cyst and gall stone disease of Taeumin were higher than those of the other constitutions(p-value<0.l). (3) The prevalences of liver cirrhosis of Soyangin was significantly higher than that of the other constirutions(p-value <0. 05). (4) The prevalences of pulmonary tuberculosis on X-ray and anemia of Soeurnin were significantly higher than those of the other constitutions (p-value<0.05). And the prevalences of gastric xanthelasma and hypothyroidism of Soeumin were higher than those of the other constitutions(p-value<0.1). 4. Conclusions There were significant differences on the prevalences of some chronic diseases according to Sasang wnstirution.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.156-175
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• 2007

1. Objectives and Methods This study was performed to know the relationship between Sasang Constitution and characteristics of ordinary symptoms, inspection diagnosis of face and tongue. There were 666 participants(280 men and 386 women) who answered Sasang Constitutional Checkup list and were taken pictures of faces and tongues. Sasang Constitution was diagnosed by only PSSC(Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution). Distribution of Sasang Constitution and X2 test, kappa value for agreement were calculated using SPSS 10.0. 2. Results From characteristics of ordinary symptoms' point of view, Taeeumin had loud voices, big body shapes and easily sweated themselves. They felt good after sweating and had warm hands and feet. And their upper back, shoulders and chest were, they thought, well developed. They were apt to have meals quickly and overeat themselves. Soyangin and Soeumin had thin body shapes and were difficult to sweat themselves and felt powerless after sweating. They had cold hands and feet. Especially, Soeumin was apt to have meals slowly and a little amounts. They walked so fast. Soyangin was introvert and had developed their abdomen and waist. 'Looking heavy and steady' was higher in Taeeumin, 'delicate and modest' was higher in Soeumin(42.8%) and Soyangin(36.1 %) in first impression. It was thought to be difficult to discriminate Soyangin from Soeumin in first impression and make a notion of right Soyangin's first impression. Soyangin had pinky tongue color and little tongue fur whereas Soeumin had red tongue color and whitish tongue fur. Taeeumin had whitish tongue fur too. 3. Conclusions To diagnose Sasang Constitution much effectively, PSSC results and comprehensive Sasang Constitutional Checkup list extracted from effective Questionnaire items and Face and Tongue Inspection Diagnosis are thought to be needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1192-1198
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• 2004

Sasang Constitutional Medicine is a major branch of Korean Traditional Medicine. The differences of disease susceptibility to be shown in Sasang constitution may be due to genetic factors. Therefore, I examined interrelationship among cerebral infarction (CI), apolipoprotein E (apo E) gene polymorphism, and Sasang constitutional classification. Apo E is a key protein modulating the highly atherogenic apoB containing lipoproteins and is a candidate gene for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The ε2 and/or ε4 alleles were the first to be implicated in premature CAD, which resulted in this polymorphism being extensively studied. I investigated the association between apo E genotype and CI by case-control study in a Korean population. I also classified CI patients and control group into groups according to Sasang Constitutional Medicine. 218 CI patients and 379 controls without CI were examined. Apo E genotype was determined by 8% polyacrylamide gel separation after DNA amplification. A frequency of apo E ε3/ε3 in the apo E genotype distribution was higher in the CI patients compared with that in controls. Also, it was widely known that Taeumin was easily attacked with CI, but there was no association between apo E polymorphim and Taeumin. However, the Taeumin constitution did not enhance the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apo E ε2 and/or ε4 alleles. No differences in the apo E genotypes frequencies were observed in the Taeumin compared with that in the other constitutions. In addition, I investigated whether the DD(deletion/deletion) or ID(insertion/deletion) genotype of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a candidate gene for CI, was associated with CI, Taeumin constitution, and apo E polymorphism. As a result, the frequency of Taeumin constitution was significantly higher in CI patients with both apo E ε3/ε4 and ACE ID/DD genotypes than in the remaining Sasang constitutions. In summary, it was concluded that the apo E polymorphism is a major risk factor for CI in Koreans and the ACE ID/DD genotype enhanced the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apo E ε3/ε4 genotype and Taeumin constitution.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.111-119
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• 2009

Objectives : To assess the characteristics of electropyography(EMG) and heart rate variability(HRV) values in idiopathic facial palsy inpatients of different Sasang constitutions. Methods : Medical records of 103 idiopathic facial palsy inpatients who underwent facial EMG testing and HRV testing were retrospectively reviewed. All subjects had been consulted to the department of Sasang constitution for constitution differentiation. The Sasang constitutional and age distribution were initially analyzed, and axonal loss percentage values on EMG were correlated with Sasang constitution and sex. HRV results were also correlated with Sasang constitution and sex. Results : 1. 24.4 percent of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients were of the Soyang constitution, 52.4 percent were of the Taeum, and 23.3 percent were of the Soeum. Patients in their fifties were most common in all constitutions(27.8%). 2. Mean axonal loss values for the temporal, zygomatic, and buccal branches were all statistically significantly lower in the Taeum constitution compared with Soyang or Soeum(p<0.05). 3. Mean axonal loss values for the temporal, zygomatic, and buccal branches were all statistically significantly lower in men than women(p<0.05). 4. The mean LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in idiopathic facial palsy inpatients of the Soeum constitution compared with Soyang and Taeum(p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in mean MHRT, SDNN, TP, VLF, LF, and HF of different constitutions. 5. The mean SDNN was significantly lower in women inpatients compared with men(p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in mean MHRT, TP, VLF, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio. Conclusions : The Sasang constitutional composition of idiopathic facial palsy inpatients closely adheres to the composition proposed in Dong-eui-su-se-bo-won, but the Taeum and Soeum proportion is slightly larger and the Soyang proportion slightly smaller. Axonal loss value on EMG was significantly lower in the Taeum constitution, and in men(p<0.05, <0.05). Mean LF/HF ratio was significantly lower in the Soeum constitution compared with Soyang and Taeum(p<0.05), and mean SDNN was significantly lower in women(p<0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.103-114
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• 2005

Objective; Childhood obesity has become one of the most common health problems facing children in the world. Although a number of regimens have been developed and distributed for the treatment of adult obesity, few studies have focused on therapeutic programs for obese children. The objective of this study was to develop and measure the effects of Taeumin childhood obesity by a sasang constitution­based education program. Methods ; A total of 14$(\%RBW\geq20)$ among 18 taeumin with childhood obesity from June to August 2003 participated in the constitution-based education program. It was designed to examine the effects of a constitution-based education program through anthropometric measurements, body composition indicates, biochemical indicates and serum level of taeumin childhood obesity. Results; The results of this study were as follows: 1. The anthropometric measurement of subscapular skinfold thickness was reduced after 4 weeks of the constitution-based education program. 2. The body composition indicates reduction in degree of obesity, percent body fat, and fat distribution. The other side increased in height, total body water, soft lean mass, and lean body mass. 3. For biochemical indicates, HDL-cholesterol was increased significantly after 4 weeks of the constitution-based education program. The other side decreased in AST and ALT. 4. There was a significant reduction in BMI and $\%RBW$ after the constitution-based education program. Conclusion : A constitution-based education program for weight control results in reduced degree of obesity among taeumin children.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2017

Objectives Sleep duration and sleep quality are closely related to obesity, however there are few studies considering the Sasang constitution. This study is to investigate the relationship between sleep status and obesity according to Sasang constitution. Methods This cross-sectional research studied 2,672 participants (1,293 men and 1,379 women) using the Korean Medicine Data Center (KDC) of the KIOM. Sasang constitution was diagnosed by KS-15 questionnaire. Obesity was divided into two categories: general obesity was defined as Body Mass Index(BMI) ${\geq}25kg/m^2$, and abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference ${\geq}90cm$ in men and ${\geq}85cm$ in women. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results The distribution of the subjects was 56.9% for Taeumin and 43.1% for non-Taeeumin., Poor sleep quality increased both BMI and waist circumference in Taeeumin. In men Taeeumin, sleep duration was correlated with BMI, and sleep quality was correlated with waist circumference. The prevalence of obesity was significant difference according to sleeping duration in men Taeeumin, it was the highest at 6 hours of sleeping time. Conclusions Sleep duration and sleep quality was associated with obesity in Taeeumin. Especially, in men Taeeumin, adequate sleep duration was an important factor for prevention and treatment of obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.138-145
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• 2006

Objectives : Waist circumference (WC) is the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral adipose tissue accumulation and obesity-related health risks. We measured WC and other anthropometric indices to assess relationships between the abdominal fat distribution and Sasang constitution. Methods : 196 participants who completed a QSCC II were measured some anthropometric indicies - height, weight and WC. Collected data were stratified by sex and analysed by oneway analysis of variances among constitutional groups. Results : In men, there were significant differences in weight, BMI and WC among Constitutional groups (p<0.001). In women, there were significant differences in weight and BMI, but there were no significant difference in WC among Constitutional groups. Conclusions : There was a significant relationship between taeumin men md abdominal chesty. But, in women, there was no clear relationship between abdominal obesity and participant's constitution.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.151-163
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• 1996

VNTR and STR DNA typing are typical genetic analysis methods which are widely used in DNA-fingerprinting for forensic science and other genetic research purposes. In this study, genomic DNA of different constitutions(Taeun, Soyang and Soum) were analyzed by VNTR and STR DNA typing to provide scientific and objective references for Sasang Medicine. It was found out in this study that VNTR-MCT118 and YNZ22 loci showed too many different variation of allele distribution and numbers for each constitution. Therefore, it is thought that VNTR typing can not used for genetic classification study for Sasang Constitution which classifies human body into 4 groups. However, vWA locus, one of the STR loci investigated in this study, showed slight difference in allele distribution for each different constitution.