| Objective: The study report is based on the background of tropical humid weatherconditions, urbanized living environment and the unique liking of certain food andbeverages in Singapore, using TCM pattern identification and treatment methods, so as toidentify the best approach to guide treating Weipi cases in this region.Method: The study topic is based on TCM theory, selected 400 cases out of the 1000 Weipicases collected in the Pi Wei Section of the Zhong Hua Medical Institute (ZHMI) over thelast 10 years. It was done in accordance with the relevant Guidelines and Standards used inthe People’s Republic of China (PRC). The study further analyzed the data using TCMtheory, so as to find the pattern identification distribution of Weipi in Singapore, the causesand mechanism leading to Weipi, the treatment method and specific medications used inthe local context. Another 200 such cases were similarly collected from Nanjing City ofPRC for comparison.Results:①The number of Weipi patients accounted for about half of the patients seeking treatmentat the Pi Wei Section of ZHMI. Female patients outnumbered male patients in Singapore.Also 60% of the patients were below 50-years old, which are considered young.②Local TCM physicians believe that Weipi is caused by a combination of over-stressedworking environment, over-worrying, over-use of body energy without sufficientreplenishment; as well as imbalanced eating habits and insufficient rest for recovery aftersicknesses. The mechanism of Weipi is because of the inherent body deficiency coupledwith the presence of sickness by-products as the apparent symptom. The deficiency is onthe Pi and Wei, which leads to the development of the sickness and resulted in the sicknessby-products being present.③The distribution of commonly found Wei Pi pattern types are Gan Wei Qi Zhi (42.5%),Pi Wei Qi Xu (39.5%), Shi Re Zhong Zu (11.5%), Wei Yin Bu Zu (6.5%), and there wereno cases for Yu Xue Zhu Wei and Pi Wei Yang Xu. The medication adopted for treatingWeipi cases were based on the respective basic prescription formulas used for each of the pattern types with adjustments made according to each individual body conditions.However, besides the symptoms of the pattern type identified, other symptoms with lesserdegree were often present, such as Tan Shi Zhong Zu or Wei Yin Bu Zu, the localpractitioners have been adding in suitable dosages of Wen Dan Tang or Zeng Ye Tang ontop of the main prescription accordingly, which enhanced the treatment efficacy.④The Gan Wei Qi Zhi pattern and Pi Wei Qi Xu patterns contributed to about 80% of allthe Weipi cases in Singapore, this was found to be closely related to its global city livingenvironment. In the Shi Re pattern, substantial cases were actually found skewed towardTan Shi (damp phlegm) pattern where the heat symptom was not apparent. This seemed torun counter to the local hot and humid weather, it was probably due to the popularity of airconditioners and the frequent consumption of raw fruits and cold drinks by many localswhich help to cool the body and resulted in eliminating one of the causes for Shi Re patternformation.Conclusion: The study found that the Weipi patients in Singapore in term of sex, ageand pattern distribution are different from those in Nanjing City located in a temperatecountry. In terms of medication for treatment, Singapore also has formed its uniqueness.The findings would have clinical reference value for local TCM physicians as well as thosepracticing in the busy cities within South East Asia region. |
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