Correlation between TCM Constitutional Types and Lung Carcinoma in Various Geographical Areas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Lung carcinoma is a serious disorder that negatively influences the quality of life of sufferers. Despite the growing number of investigations into the management and prognosis of lung carcinoma, few research studies have been conducted to demonstrate the association between TCM constitution and lung carcinoma. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Science Net, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP database, Wanfang database, and China Biomedical Literature Database for Chinese and English versions until January 31, 2021. We also manually searched for Chinese lung cancer, Chinese physical medicine, Chinese medical trial registries, and unpublished surveys or references. The literature was screened against inclusive and exclusive criteria, and two investigators' results were independently summarized. The primary outcome was a ratio of body type. Single-group rates were meta-analyzed using Stata 14.0 statistical software, bias was estimated by funnel plotting, and sources of heterogeneity were evaluated by subgroup and sensitivity examinations. RESULTS: 18 randomized controlled trials were totally included to compare the single-group ratio and 95% confidence interval of nine constitution types of lung cancer, namely, mild constitution (ES = 0.12, 95% CI (0.08, 0.15), P < 0.0001), Qi deficiency constitution (ES = 0.20, 95% CI (0.15, 0.26), P < 0.0001), Qi depression constitution (ES = 0.09, 95% CI (0.07, 0.12), P < 0.0001), damp-heat constitution (ES = 0.05, 95% CI (0.03, −0.06), P < 0.0001), phlegm dampness constitution (ES = 0.05, 95% CI (0.03, −0.06), P < 0.0001), special constitution (ES = 0.01, 95% CI (0.01, 0.02), P=0.993), blood stasis constitution (ES = 0.05, 95% CI (0.04, 0.07), P < 0.0001), Yang deficiency constitution (ES = 0.16, 95% CI (0.12, 0.19), P < 0.0001), and Yin deficiency constitution (MD = 0.15, 95% CI (0.11, 0.18), P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, and Yin vacuity were the predominant types of physical conditions of lung cancer cases.