Understanding The Relationship Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) And Body Constitution In TCM In Singapore And Chengdu

Objective:1) To find out and compare the Body Constitution of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Singapore and Chengdu, China.2) To find out how different living environment/conditions affects the distribution pattern of Body Constitution in each city.Methodology:Questionnaires were given out to the IBS patients in Singapore and Chengdu, and collected back upon completion. The questionnaire contains information such as gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, dietary habits, living habits, Rome III IBS diagnostic questionnaire and "Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire" (CCMQ). The information collected from the questionnaires together with the reports retrieved from the National Environment Agency Singapore and China Meteorological Bureau were analysed and compared. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS22.0.Results:1) Female predominance is observed in both Singapore and Chengdu IBS patients.2) The age group of 41-60years old predominates in both Singapore and Chengdu IBS patients.3) In both Singapore and Chengdu IBS patients, Phlegm-dampness constitution (17.1%), Yang-deficient constitution (16.4%), Qi-deficient constitution (16.4%) and Qi-stagnation constitution (15.0%) were more prevalent than other constitutions. In Singapore alone, Qi-deficient constitution (16.8%), Phlegm-Dampness constitution (16.8%) and Qi-stagnation constitution (13.3%) were more prevalent than other constitutions. In Chengdu alone, Yang-deficient constitution (22.4%), Phlegm-Dampness constitution (17.5%) and Qi-stagnation constitution (16.8%) were more prevalent than other constitutions.4) The prevalence of special constitution was higher in Singapore IBS patients (11.2%) than in Chengdu IBS patients (0%).5) A preference for warm drink and moderate level of exercise frequency was observed in both Singapore and Chengdu IBS patients. However, the quality of sleep in each city differs, with two-third of Singapore's patients expressing moderate quality of sleep while nearing half of Chengdu's patients expressing poor quality of sleep.6) The annual average temperature, total precipitation and total sunshine hours differs in both Singapore and Chengdu. However, the average humidity and annual rainy days in both city is similar.Conclusion:Gender and age factors affect the onset of IBS. The different climatic condition in Singapore and Chengdu caused a difference in the distribution pattern of Body constitution in each city. However, similar lifestyle and dietary habits contributes to the similarities in the distribution pattern of Body constitution in each city.