OBJECTIVETo explore the method for TCM syndrome typing of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSClinical questionnaire of epidemiological investigation was established, by which the relative information from 871 patients with CHB was collected on the spot to conduct multi-analysis, including factor analysis, cluster analysis, correspondence analysis, etc. Then the population basic TCM syndrome types and the individual TCM syndrome type of patients were obtained adopting the new combination of factor analysis and variable cluster, and the corresponding relation between TCM syndrome type and the figures of tongue and pulse was analyzed as well.

RESULTSAnalysis on distribution of TCM syndrome type in patients showed that single syndrome type presented in 380 cases (43.6%), including Gan-Shen yin deficiency type in 126 (14.5%), Gan-Dan dampness-heat type in 126 (14.5%), Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency type in 128 (14.7%); compound syndrome type presented in 301 (34.6%); the other 190 patients (14.5%) without any symptom was regarded as no syndrome type. Multiple correspondence analysis showed that Gan-Shen yin deficiency type is related to red tongue, thin yellowish fur, and taut pulse; Gan-Dan dampness-heat type is related to yellowish greasy fur and slippery pulse; Gan-depression with Pi-deficiency type is related to thin whitish fur and taut thready pulse.

CONCLUSIONThe above-mentioned typing of TCM syndrome well coincided with the clinical practice, and the correspondence between single syndrome type and the manifestation of tongue and pulse is obvious.