Analysis of Constitutional Factors in Patients with Gallstone Disease

Abstract

Objective: To summarize the common constitutional types in patients with gallstone disease and analyze influencing factors. Research Hypothesis: Qi stagnation constitution may be a potential predisposing constitution for gallstone disease, whereas the Balanced Constitution and Yin deficiency constitution have a lower tendency towards the development of the disease; gallstone disease is more prevalent among young men engaged in mental labor. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 180 patients with gallstone disease who were hospitalized in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), from July 2017 to July 2023. Additionally, 180 healthy individuals undergoing physical examinations at the Health Examination Center of the same hospital were selected as the normal control group. Both groups underwent general condition surveys, TCM constitution scales, Eysenck Personality Questionnaires, Brief Coping Styles Questionnaires, and Social Support Rating Scales to determine risk factors and common types. Results: Independent variables such as gender, Qi stagnation constitution, Balanced Constitution, negative coping scores, positive coping scores, and stressful life events were included in the model. The OR values for Balanced Constitution, gender, positive coping style, and overall social support were all less than 1, and the maximum value of the 95% confidence interval was also less than 1. After selecting the intercept into the model and analyzing the standardized regression coefficients, it was found that negative coping scores had a significant impact on the model, while stressful life events showed extremely high relevance to the study. Compared with the normal group, the frequency of Qi stagnation constitution in the study group significantly increased, with a significant difference (P < 0.001). The frequency of Yin deficiency constitution and Balanced Constitution in the study group was notably lower compared to the normal group, with statistical differences (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). There were 102 cases in the young age group, 42 cases in the middle age group, and 36 cases in the elderly age group in the study group; the corresponding numbers in the normal group were 48, 69, and 63 cases, respectively. When comparing the young age group with the normal group, χ 2 = 11.109, P = 0.0009, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.01). The frequency of Yang deficiency constitution in the elderly age group was significantly higher compared to the young and middle age groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Among the patients, there were 117 males and 63 females; in the normal group, there were 84 males and 69 females. Chi-square test results showed χ 2 = 4.0890, P = 0.0432, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.05). In the study group, there were 111 mental workers and 69 physical workers, while in the normal group, there were 93 mental workers and 87 physical workers. Comparing the two groups, no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). However, when comparing mental workers with physical workers within the patient group, the frequency of Qi stagnation constitution in mental workers was significantly higher, with χ 2 = 6.8467, P = 0.012, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Qi stagnation constitution is a potential predisposing constitution for gallstone disease, whereas the tendency to develop the disease is relatively low for Balanced Constitution and Yin deficiency constitution. Gallstone disease is more commonly found in young male mental workers.