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A Study of Clinical Characteristics of Female Patients with Cold Hypersensitivity on Hands and Feet

Article information

J Korean Med. 2018;39(2):64-79
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 June 30
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.18016
Jung-Yeon Kwon1orcid_icon, Young-Ji Kim1orcid_icon, Kyung-Hwan Kong1orcid_icon, Chan-Yong Jeon2orcid_icon, Ho-Yeon Go1orcid_icon, You-me Ko3orcid_icon
1Dep. of Korean Int. Med, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University
2Dep. of Korean Int. Med, College of Korean Medicine, Gachon University
3Dep. of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyunghee University
Correspondence to: 공경환(Kyung-Hwan Kong), 충북 충주시 상방4길 63 세명대학교 충주한방병원 한방내과학교실, Tel: +82-43-841-1732, Fax: +82-43-856-1731, E-mail: kong124@hanmail.net
Correspondence to: 전찬용(Chan-Yong Jeon), 인천광역시 구월동 1200-1 가천대학교 부속 한방병원 한방내과학교실, Tel: +82-32-770-1300, Fax: +82-43-468-4021, E-mail: joncy@gachon.ac.kr
Received 2018 May 28; Revised 2018 June 19; Accepted 2018 June 19.

Abstract

Objectives

This study was aimed to research clinical characteristics of female patients with cold hypersensitivity on the hands and feet compared with non-cold hypersensitivity group.

Methods

134 women patients were collected from 6 Korean medicine hospitals, and divided into 2 groups(cold hypersensitivity group and non-cold hypersensitivity group). This survey was composed of 19 questions related to clinical symptoms of cold hypersensitivity.

Results

We found out the differences between 2 groups in 10 questions among 19 questions in the survey results. (Body Type, Energy, Digestibility, Skin Type, Facial Complexion, Chill, Dry Mouth and Thirst, Preference between Coolness and Warmth, Thickness of Tongue Fur, Floating and Sinking of Pulse)

Conclusions

From these results, Patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet have relative clinical characteristics as follows. They are relatively weak and lethargic. They have dry skin and look more pale. They feel chill easily and have dry mouth and thirst. They prefer warmth and have indigestion more. They had more various infirm and ill clinical characteristics compared with the other group from the view of Korean medicine.

Keywords: Korean Medicine; Oriental Medicine; Cold Hypersensitivity; Clinical Character

Interview Questions

Physical Characteristics of Both Groups

Body Type

Energy

Voice

Digestibility

Appetite

Stool Type

Facial Complexion

Skin Type

Dry Mouth and Thirst

Chill

Upper Body Heat

Preference between Coolness and Warmth

Response to Temperature

Tongue Body Color

Thickness of Tongue Fur

Moisture and Dryness of Tongue Fur

Strength of Pulse

Floating and Sinking of Pulse

Speed of Pulse

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Article information Continued

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Table 1

Interview Questions

Questions Answers
Body Type Bulky / Thin / Average
Energy Lethargic / Normal
Voice Lethargic / Normal
Digestibility Good(Normal) / Bad
Appetite Hyperorexia / Anorexia / Average(Normal)
Stool Type Constipation / Diarrhea / Normal
Facial Complexion Pale Complexion / Reddened Complexion / Darkish Complexion / Yellow Complexion / Reddish Cheekbone / Normal
Skin Type Normal Skin / Dry Skin
Dry Mouth and Thirst Dry Mouth and Thirst / Normal
Chill Normal / Chill
Upper Body Heat Normal / Upper Body Heat
Preference between Coolness and Warmth Prefer Coolness Prefer Warmth / Not Care
Response to Temperature Dislike the Heat / Dislike the Cold / Dislike the Both / Both are fine
Tongue Body Color Pale Tongue / Red Tongue / Crimson Tongue / Purple Tongue / Normal
Thickness of Tongue Fur Thin / Thick / Little / No Fur / Normal
Moisture and Dryness of Tongue Fur Greasy and slippery / Dry / Normal
Strength of Pulse Replete Pulse / Average(Normal) / Vacuous Pulse
Floating and Sinking of Pulse Floating Pulse / Normal / Sunken Pulse
Speed of Pulse Slow Pulse / Normal / Rapid Pulse

Table 2

Physical Characteristics of Both Groups

CG NCG P-Value
Age 36.70±11.99 29.84±7.38 .000*
Height 161.14±5.20 161.41±5.87 .783*
Weight 54.01±8.65 56.45±8.78 .107*
BMI 21.07±2.67 21.64±2.92 .239*
n(%) 70 (52.24%) 64 (47.76%) 134 (100%)

Values are mean ± SD

*

Statistically significant by t-test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 3

Body Type

CG NCG Total P-Value
Body Type Bulky 6 (8.6%) 9 (14.1%) 15 (11.2%) .009*
Thin 16 (22.9%) 3 (4.7%) 19 (14.2%)
Average 48 (68.6%) 52 (81.3%) 100 (74.6%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 4

Energy

CG NCG Total P-Value
Energy Lethargic 14 (20.6%) 1 (1.6%) 15 (11.5%) .002*
Normal 54 (79.4%) 62 (98.4%) 116 (88.5%)
Total 68 (100.0%) 63 (100.0%) 131 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 5

Voice

CG NCG Total P-Value
Voice Lethargic 7 (10.3%) 1 (1.6%) 8 (6.1%) .086*
Normal 61 (89.7%) 62 (98.4%) 123 (93.9%)
Total 68 (100.0%) 63 (100.0%) 131 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 6

Digestibility

CG NCG Total P-Value
Digestibility Good (Normal) 51 (75.0%) 59 (93.7%) 110 (84.0%) .008*
Bad 17 (25.0%) 4 (6.3%) 21 (16.0%)
Total 68 (100.0%) 63 (100.0%) 131 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 7

Appetite

CG NCG Total P-Value
Appetite Hyperorexia 8 (11.4%) 5 (7.8%) 13 (9.7%) .295*
Anorexia 1 (1.4%) 4 (6.3%) 5 (3.7%)
Average (Normal) 61 (87.1%) 55 (85.9%) 116 (86.6%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 8

Stool Type

CG NCG Total P-Value
Stool Type Constipation 15 (22.4%) 12 (19.0%) 27 (20.8%) .742*
Diarrhea 6 (9.0%) 8 (12.7%) 14 (10.8%)
Normal 46 (68.7%) 43 (68.3%) 89 (68.5%)
Total 67 (100.0%) 63 (100.0%) 130 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 9

Facial Complexion

CG NCG Total P-Value
Facial Complexion Pale Complexion 15 (21.7%) 6 (9.4%) 21 (15.8%) .000*
Reddened Complexion 7 (10.1%) 0 (0.0%) 7 (5.3%)
Darkish Complexion 2 (2.9%) 0 (0.0%) 2 (1.5%)
Yellow Complexion 15 (21.7%) 8 (12.5%) 23 (17.3%)
Reddish Cheekbone 7 (10.1%) 4 (6.3%) 11 (8.3%)
Normal 23 (33.3%) 46 (71.9%) 69 (51.9%)
Total 69 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 133 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 10

Skin Type

CG NCG Total P-Value
Skin Type Normal Skin 12 (17.9%) 32 (50.0%) 44 (33.6%) .000*
Dry Skin 55 (82.1%) 32 (50.0%) 87 (66.4%)
Total 67 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 131 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 11

Dry Mouth and Thirst

CG NCG Total P-Value
Dry Mouth and Thirst Dry Mouth and Thirst 42 (63.6%) 15 (24.6%) 57 (44.9%) .000*
Normal 24 (36.4%) 46 (75.4%) 70 (17.2%)
Total 66 (100.0%) 61 (100.0%) 127 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 12

Chill

CG NCG Total P-Value
Chill Normal 46 (67.6%) 58 (90.6%) 104 (78.8%) .003*
Chill 22 (32.4%) 6 (9.4%) 28 (21.2%)
Total 68 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 132 (100.0%)

Table 13

Upper Body Heat

CG NCG Total P-Value
Upper Body Heat Normal 42 (60.9%) 48 (75.0%) 90(67.7%) .120*
Upper Body Heat 27 (39.1%) 16 (25.0%) 43 (32.3%)
Total 69 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 133 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test with Yates’ continuity correction

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 14

Preference between Coolness and Warmth

CG NCG Total P-Value
Preference between Coolness and Warmth Prefer Coolness 26 (37.1%) 35 (54.7%) 61 (45.5%) .007*
Prefer Warmth 37 (52.9%) 17 (26.6%) 54 (40.3%)
Not Care 7 (10.0%) 12 (18.8%) 19 (14.2%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 15

Response to Temperature

CG NCG Total P-Value
Response to Temperature Dislike the Heat 8 (11.4%) 15 (23.4%) 23 (17.2%) .073*
Dislike the Cold 45 (64.3%) 28 (43.8%) 73 (54.5%)
Dislike the Both 12 (50.0%) 12 (18.8%) 24 (17.9%)
Both are fine 5 (7.1%) 9 (14.1%) 14 (10.4%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 16

Tongue Body Color

CG NCG Total P-Value
Tongue Body Color Pale Tongue 21 (30.0%) 10 (15.6%) 31 (23.1%) .077*
Red Tongue 7 (10.0%) 12 (18.8%) 19 (14.2%)
Crimson Tongue 1 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%)
Purple Tongue 1 (1.4%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (0.7%)
Normal 40 (57.1%) 42 (65.6%) 82 (61.2%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 17

Thickness of Tongue Fur

CG NCG Total P-Value
Thickness of Tongue Fur Thin 20 (28.6%) 17 (26.6%) 37 (27.6%) .005*
Thick 9 (12.9%) 1 (1.6%) 10 (7.5%)
Little 18 (25.7%) 8 (12.5%) 26 (19.4%)
No Fur 2 (2.9%) 6 (9.4%) 8 (6.0%)
Normal 21 (30.0%) 32 (50.0%) 53 (39.6%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 18

Moisture and Dryness of Tongue Fur

CG NCG Total P-Value
Moisture and Dryness of Tongue Fur Greasy and slippery 3 (4.3%) 3 (4.7%) 6 (4.5%) .869*
Dry 9 (13.0%) 6 (9.4%) 15 (11.3%)
Normal 57 (82.6%) 55 (85.9%) 112 (84.2%)
Total 69 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 133 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 19

Strength of Pulse

CG NCG Total P-Value
Strength of Pulse Replete Pulse 4 (6.2%) 3 (4.8%) 7 (5.5%) .276*
Average (Normal) 40 (51.5%) 47 (74.6%) 87 (68.0%)
Vacuous Pulse 21 (32.3%) 13 (20.6%) 34 (26.6%)
Total 65 (100.0%) 63 (100.0%) 128 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by Fisher’s exact test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 20

Floating and Sinking of Pulse

CG NCG Total P-Value
Floating and Sinking of Pulse Floating Pulse 13 (18.6%) 4 (6.3%) 17 (12.8%) .019*
Normal 31 (44.3%) 42 (66.7%) 73 (54.9%)
Sunken Pulse 26 (37.1%) 17 (27.0%) 43 (32.3%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 63 (100.0%) 133 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

Table 21

Speed of Pulse

CG NCG Total P-Value
Speed of Pulse Slow Pulse 8 (11.4%) 3 (4.7%) 11 (8.2%) .365*
Normal 55 (78.6%) 54 (84.4%) 109 (81.3%)
Rapid Pulse 7 (10.0%) 7 (10.9%) 14 (10.4%)
Total 70 (100.0%) 64 (100.0%) 134 (100.0%)

Values are number (%)

*

Statistically significant by chi-square test

CG: The group of patients with cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet

NCG: The group of patients without cold hypersensitivity on hands and feet