Application Study of Health Management Model Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Identification in COPD Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Tao Liang,1,* Nan-Nan An,1,* Yan-Qiu Huang,2 Peng-Fei Wang,1 Ying-Jie Yan,1 Yan-Jun Wang,1 Su-Hua Zhang,3 Qing-Yan Yang4 1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei, 056002, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Data Center, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei, 056002, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei, 056002, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei, 056002, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qing-Yan Yang, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering, No. 81, Congtai District, Congtai Road, Handan, Hebei, 056002, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 0310-3961028, Email [email protected]: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate a health management model based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution identification in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.Methods: This retrospective case-control study selected 108 COPD patients from the Respiratory Department of our hospital, divided into an observation group (n=54, receiving TCM constitution-based health management) and a control group (n=54, receiving routine health guidance). Primary outcome measures included COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1).Results: After 6 months, the observation group showed improvements in CAT scores (baseline: 24.93± 2.61 to 6 months: 22.31± 2.12, p< 0.001) and FEV1 values (baseline: 1.34± 0.71 L to 6 months: 1.79± 0.73 L, p< 0.001). After propensity score matching, clinical response rates remained higher in the observation group (CAT: 48.8% vs 18.6%; FEV1: 72.1% vs 7.0%, both p< 0.001). However, significant baseline differences existed between groups, with the observation group being younger, having shorter disease duration, and better baseline lung function (all GOLD II vs 55.6% GOLD III in controls).Conclusion: This retrospective study provides preliminary evidence suggesting potential value of TCM constitution-based health management in COPD patients. However, significant baseline differences and methodological limitations necessitate cautious interpretation. Well-designed prospective randomized controlled trials with matched cohorts are essential to establish efficacy definitively.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, traditional Chinese medicine, TCM, constitution identification, health management, individualized treatment