Tính chất phân theo thang phân Bristol và mối liên quan với đặc điểm lâm sàng, chất lượng cuộc sống ở người bệnh nội trú điều trị y học cổ truyền tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

In traditional medicine, stool characteristics are considered vital indicators of overall health and internal balance. While modern medicine often focuses on bowel frequency, the nuances of "stool form" provide deeper insights into digestive function and gut microbiome health. The "Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS)" has emerged as a valuable and easy-to-use tool for assessing these characteristics, with growing evidence linking it to patient "quality of life (QoL)". Despite the significant role of "traditional medicine" in inpatient care, particularly in chronic conditions, there remains a notable gap in research, specifically in Vietnam, concerning the prevalence of "Bristol stool form" types and their association with clinical indicators and "quality of life" among "inpatients" receiving this type of treatment. This study addresses this critical need, aiming to provide essential data for enhancing comprehensive inpatient care.

Healthcare professionals, researchers, and practitioners in traditional medicine, particularly those involved in inpatient care and gastrointestinal health, as well as policymakers interested in integrating comprehensive patient assessment tools.

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of "Bristol stool form" types and their association with clinical characteristics and "quality of life" among 386 "inpatients" receiving "traditional medicine" treatment across three hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City from April 2024 to February 2025. Stool types were classified using the "Bristol Stool Form Scale", and "quality of life" was assessed with the EQ-5D-5L instrument. The findings revealed that Bristol type 4 was the most common (38.3%), followed by type 3 (21.0%), indicating a predominant pattern of normal stool. Significant associations were observed between "stool types" and demographic factors such as age and gender (p < 0.05). Notably, patients with loose "stool forms" (types 5-7) exhibited significantly higher cholesterol levels (p = 0.035) compared to those with normal stool. Furthermore, abnormal "stool types", particularly types 1-2 (constipated) and 6-7 (loose/diarrhea), tended to correlate with lower EQ-VAS scores, suggesting a negative impact on overall perceived health. Specific "quality of life" dimensions—mobility, self-care, and usual activities—were significantly associated with different "stool types" (p < 0.05), underscoring the broader systemic effects of bowel function. These results highlight that "stool characteristics" are intricately linked to specific clinical indicators and patient well-being in "inpatient" settings. Therefore, routine assessment of "Bristol stool form" can serve as a simple yet effective method to monitor patient health and enhance comprehensive care within "traditional medicine" frameworks, potentially guiding more personalized treatment strategies.