Association between cancer-related fatigue and traditional Chinese medicine body constitution in female patients with breast cancer

Sheuh Mei Deng, Aih Fung Chiu, Shin Chung Wu, Yu Chuen Huang, Shu Chuan Huang, Shih Yu Chen, Ming Yen Tsai*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common psychosomatic problem in breast cancer patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to address symptoms in patients with CRF. Identification of the specific constitution in TCM is essential for personalized care. Aim: To explore the relationship between fatigue and specific constitutions in breast cancer. Experimental procedure: We conducted a cross-sectional study in all breast cancer patients at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. The severity of fatigue was determined using the Brief Fatigue Inventory-Taiwanese (BFI-T) form. TCM patterns were determined using the Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ). The relationship between constitution and fatigue was analyzed using logistic regression. Results: We recruited 110 breast cancer patients with fatigue (mean age: 55 ± 11 years). The mean duration of breast cancer was 17.4 months. The major constitution among these patients with fatigue was Yang-Qi deficiency (50%). Phlegm-Stasis syndrome was correlated with a duration of breast cancer of more than 18 months (p = 0.02). Out of all participants, 42.7% (n = 47) reported clinically significant fatigue (BFI-T score ≥4). According to logistic regression, the score of Yang-Qi deficiency [odds ratio (OR): 3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49–8.21, p < 0.01] was also associated with clinically significant fatigue. Conclusion: Yang-Qi deficiency is associated with clinically significant fatigue in breast cancer patients. However, the association of Phlegm-Stasis syndrome and fatigue as disease duration increases cannot be ignored. Further studies are needed to determine whether treating both constitutions integrating TCM treatment can alleviate patients’ fatigue symptoms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)62-67
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Chemotherapy
  • Constitution
  • Fatigue
  • Traditional Chinese medicine

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