Abstract
Background & Objectives : Yellow fur on the tongue is known to be associated with prognosis of disease in oriental medicine. Higher ratios of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL) & total cholesterol (TC) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL) are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between cardiovascular disease index and yellow fur - oriental medical index - in stroke patients over 60 years old. Methods & Subjects : Among 802 of the recruited patients(434 male, 368 female), 340 were yellow fur group(209 male, 131 female). We assessed their general characteristics and risk factors. We compared the cardiovascular disease index between yellow fur and non-yellow fur groups by sex. Results : On the General Characteristics males have yellow fur more often than females. In cardiovascular disease index, the male yellow fur group showed higher ratios of TC/HDL(atherogenic index), (TC-HDL)/HDL, LDL/HDL and higher LDL and showed lower HDL than the non-yellow fur group. In female patients, there were no differences between the two groups about cardiovascular disease index. There were more patients diagnosed with Fire & Heat in the male yellow fur group, and Dampness & Phlegm in the male non-yellow fur group. The male yellow fur group eat fast food more than the non-yellow fur group. Conclusions : The results indicated that yellow fur may be associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. We can thus use yellow fur on the tongue as a cardiovascular disease index in male stroke patients over 60 years old.