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Association of bowel and tear suppression with coronary artery disease: A case control study
1Department of Swasthavritta, VPSV Ayurveda College Kottakkal, Kerala, India.
Insights
Suppression of bowel and tear urges is linked to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This study highlights these lifestyle factors as significant contributors to CAD risk, alongside others like palpitation and tobacco use.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Ayurvedic Medicine
Background:
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death globally.
- Ayurveda categorizes CAD under 'Hrdroga'.
- Suppression of natural urges ('Vegadharana') is a potential risk factor in Ayurveda, with limited research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between bowel and tear suppression (Purisavegadharana, Baspavegadharana) and CAD.
- To evaluate lifestyle factors contributing to Hrdroga.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study with 110 CAD patients and 110 controls.
- Data collected via Case Record Forms, questionnaires, interviews, and medical records.
- Statistical analysis included odds ratios, chi-square tests, and ROC curves.
Main Results:
- Bowel suppression showed an odds ratio of 2.30; tear suppression showed an odds ratio of 4.47.
- Other significant factors included palpitation (OR 8.67) and tobacco use (OR 6.23).
- Age over 60 and family history were also noted as predisposing factors.
Conclusions:
- Bowel and tear suppression are significantly associated with CAD.
- Palpitation and tobacco use are prominent risk factors for CAD.
- Findings support the integration of lifestyle modifications in CAD prevention.
Background:
Coronary Artery disease (CAD) accounts for one-third or more of all deaths in individuals over 35 years of age. In Ayurveda, umbrella term Hrdroga encompasses the concept of CAD. Vegadharana, suppression of natural urges is a lifestyle error that has been denoted as a potential risk factor of Hrdroga, but there is a lacuna of convincing research works.
Objective:
The present study is designed to assess and evaluate the association of Purisavegadharana, Baspavegadharana (bowel, tear suppression) with CAD.
Materials And Methods:
Study followed case-control design; Cases (110) were patients aged above 18 years of either sex, diagnosed with CAD in a duration less than or equal to 10 years, attending outpatient department (OPD) of an Allopathy and Ayurveda hospital. The controls (110) included hospital controls from same hospitals. Exposure status was assessed through Case Record Form (CRF), Bowel suppression and Tear suppression assessment Questionnaires, interview with patients and scrutiny of past medical records. Odds ratios and chi-square tests were computed. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves of logistic regression models fitted were generated and optimal cut-off points for bowel and tear suppression scores were derived through Youden index.
Results:
Tear suppression and bowel suppression showed odds ratio of 4.47 and 2.30 respectively. Other commendable predisposing factors were age above 60 years, family history of disease and use of medication. Highest odds ratio from logistic regression was for palpitation (8.67) and followed by tobacco use (6.23).
Conclusion:
Study indicated high association of bowel and tear suppression with CAD along with other predisposing factors, prominent of which were palpitation and use of tobacco use.
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