Associations between qi stagnation constitution, suboptimal health status, and lifestyle factors in southern China: A population-based cross-sectional study

Haiyun Zhang; Jieyu Chen; Jieling Chen; Yangzhi Liu; Jiahui Yu; Ji Wang; Yumei Zhou; Longmei Yu; Hiu Yee Kwan; Xiaoshan Zhao

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Associations between qi stagnation constitution, suboptimal health status, and lifestyle factors in southern China: A population-based cross-sectional study

Author: Haiyun Zhang ¹ ; Jieyu Chen ² ; Jieling Chen ³ ; Yangzhi Liu ⁴ ; Jiahui Yu ⁴ ; Ji Wang ¹ ; Yumei Zhou ¹ ; Longmei Yu ¹ ; Hiu Yee Kwan ⁵ ; Xiaoshan Zhao ⁶
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1. Wangqi Academy of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing,China,100029 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing,China,102488
2. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510515 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510515 Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine for Qingzhi Diseases,Guangzhou,China,510515
3. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510515 Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510315
4. School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510515
5. School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University,Hong Kong SAR,China,999077
6. Wangqi Academy of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Beijing,China,100029 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510515 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, Southern Medical University,Guangzhou,China,510515 Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine for Qingzhi Diseases,Guangzhou,China,510515
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Qi stagnation constitution; Suboptimal health status; Health-promoting lifestyle; Traditional Chinese medicine constitution; Cross-sectional study
From: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(4):521-530
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the relationship between qi stagnation constitution and suboptimal health status (SHS) or lifestyle.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 24 159 Chinese individuals aged 12–80 years. The qi stagnation constitution was assessed using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. Health status was evaluated through medical records and the Subhealth Measurement Scale V1.0 (SHMS V1.0). Health-promoting lifestyles were measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II).ResultsOf the 24 159 participants, 16.1% and 15.2% were classified as “always” and “sometimes” having the qi stagnation constitution, respectively. Those classified as “rarely” having the qi stagnation constitution scored higher on both the HPLP-II and SHMS V1.0. The participants classified as “always” having the qi stagnation constitution showed a significant association with SHS or disease compared to other imbalanced constitutions. Those in the “always” category were approximately 21 times more likely to be classified as having SHS (odds ratio [OR]: 21.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.74–28.45), whereas those in the “sometimes” category were approximately six times more likely (OR: 5.89, 95% CI: 5.04–6.90). Accordingly, the qi stagnation constitution score was significantly associated with the diagnosis of SHS, with an area under the curve of 0.77 (P .001). A score of 18.75 yielded the highest Youden Index (0.407), with a sensitivity of 60.5% and a specificity of 80.3%. Significant associations were observed between health-promoting lifestyles and qi stagnation constitution severity in an ordinal regression analysis (P .001). Protective factors included stress management (OR: 1.59), self-actualization (OR: 1.57), and exercise (OR: 1.36). In contrast, poorer interpersonal relationships (OR: 0.79), greater health responsibilities (OR: 0.86), and poorer nutrition (OR: 0.91) were associated with increased severity.ConclusionModulating the qi stagnation constitution through lifestyle interventions may help prevent the progression of SHS to disease, which aligns with core preventive principles in traditional Chinese medicine.