The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between obesity-related hormone peptides and quality of life in obese women among different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome groups ( zhèng xíng). 260 obese women met with age between 20 and 65 years old and body mass index (BMI) ≧ 27 kg/m(2), were recruited. The participants filled out a questionnaire on obese TCM syndrome groups, which was designed by professional TCM doctors, and two questionnaires on quality of life (QOL), WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version and MOS Short Form-12 (SF-12). Data of biochemical characteristics and obesity-related hormone peptides were collected at the same time. According to the responses provided, the obese subjects were classified into spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance syndrome ( pí xū shī zǔ zhèng; SDD), stomach heat with dampness encumbrance syndrome ( wèi rè shī zǔ zhèng; SHD), liver depression and qi stagnation syndrome ( gān yù qì zhì zhèng; LDQ), dual spleen-kidney deficiency syndrome ( pí shèn liǎng xū zhèng; SKD), yin deficiency with internal heat syndrome ( yīn xū nèi rè zhèng; YDI) and a control group. For physical conditions, SDD group had significantly higher means in weight and BMI compared with the control group. The insulin and leptin levels in SHD group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The LDQ group showed marked decrease in mental condition scores compared with the control group. This study found that obese women in the SDD group were fatter than those in the control group. SHD group might have greater influence on the regulation of obesity-related hormone peptides. The LDQ group had poor QOL than the control group. Analysis of TCM syndrome groups among obese women merits further investigation.
Keywords: Obesity; Oesity-related hormone peptides; Quality of life; Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome groups.