Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a novel sleep-aid decoction in treating elderly insomnia patients with different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types, and its effects on neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels. Methods A total of 200 patients with four different TCM constitutions-peaceful, Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient-were recruited. Peripheral blood neurotransmitter and inflammatory factor levels were measured for variations among insomnia patients across different constitutions. These patients were treated using the novel sleep-aid decoction, the effects of which were evaluated based on changes in neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors. Results Compared to the peaceful constitution group, insomnia patients with Qi-deficient, Yin-deficient, and Yang-deficient constitutions exhibited significantly elevated baseline levels of neurotransmitters (5-HT, GABA) and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP). Following the treatment, the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient groups showed a marked increase in 5-HT levels, restored balance of Glu, GABA, and melatonin, and significant reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The overall effective rate was 83.5%, with optimal efficacy observed in the Qi-deficient (97.72%) and Yin-deficient (95.34%) groups. Conclusion The novel sleep-aid decoction is effective in treating insomnia in elderly patients, with the best results observed in the Qi-deficient and Yin-deficient constitution groups.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical/therapeutic use* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/blood* ; Aged, 80 and over ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism*

Objective To observe the incidence rate of anaemia and analyze the nutritional situation in the elderly population.Methods From April to August 2010,a total of 2052 elderly persons from out-department of Tianjin First Center Hospital were divided into four age groups:65-69years group (n=528),70-74 years group (n=593),75-79 years group (n=423) and 80 years and over group (n= 508).The body mass index (BMI),haemoglobin (Hb),mean corpuscular volume (MCV),triglyceride (TG),creatinine (Cr),serum albumin (ALB) and ferritin (Fer) were tested and evaluated using K-W test.Results (1) Anaemia was found in 90 subjects (4.4 %),4.0% in men and 6.l% in women,9.5% in 80 years and over group.The subjects with Hb level less than 90g/L were all 80 years and over.(2)There were significant differences among the groups in BMI,TG,Cr,ALB,Hb,MCV and Fer levels (all P＜0.01).There were significant differences among four groups in Hb and ALB levels (P＜0.01 ),and partially differences in TG, Cr and MCV levels (P＜0.05).(3)The Hb level was significantly correlated with TG, ALB, Fer and MCV levels (r=0.115,0.211, 0.114 and 0.089, all P＜0.01 ) from Pearson analysis.Conclusions Anemia incidence in elderly population is increased along with aging and is higher in women than in men, especially higher in 80 years and over group.Nutritional situation gets worse with aging.