Abstract
Cold constitution is a condition in which the patient feels uncomfortably chilly especially the fingers, legs, waist and shoulders. Many oriental people have this condition, especially a number of women in Japan. Cold constitution might be related to dysfunction of autonomic nervous system as well as a lack of female hormone, estrogen. In the present study, we examined the electrocardiogram (ECG) and pulmonary function in the young females with cold constitution, and compared the findings with normal females. Young female students (19.1±0.8 years-old; n=207) were divided into two groups; normal students (normal group; n=107) and students with cold constitution (cold group; n=100). The cold group was further divided into three groups; weak, middle and severe cold groups. The body weight, body mass index (BMI), subcutaneous fat thickness, body fat rate, and body fat weight in the cold group were significantly low, compared with those in the normal group. Among three cold groups, these data were low in proportion to the severity of cold constitution. The R-R interval and QT interval of the ECG were significantly prolonged in the cold group, dependent on the severity of the disease. However, the QTc intervals in the cold group were similar to those in the normal group. On the other hand, no significant changes in the values of several factors related to the pulmonary function, measured by a spirometer, were observed in between the cold and normal groups. These findings show a significantly positive relation among the severity of the cold constitution, slender figure, and bradycardia. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S231 (2004)]
