OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution features of Chinese medicine syndrome (CMS) in 137 patients with active ulcerative colitis (AUC), and to analyze the correlation between the intestinal mucosal manifestations and CMS.

METHODSTotally 137 AUC patients were syndrome typed. The intestinal mucosal manifestations were observed under endoscope, thus analyzing the correlation between the intestinal mucosal manifestations and CMS.

RESULTSIn the distribution of main syndromes, the case numbers were sequenced as the damp heat of Dachang syndrome > the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome > the Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome > the deficiency of Pi-qi syndrome > the blood stasis of the intestine meridian syndrome > the deficiency of blood and yin syndrome. The frequency of intestinal mucosal manifestations more than 50% covered mucosal damage, abnormal mucosa membrane color, congestion, edema, erosion, ulcer, pus tongue fur, and obscure or disappeared blood vessels. The edema, erosion, and ulcer occurred more in the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome, followed by the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome and the Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Polypi, abnormal enterokinesia, grainy occurred more in the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome and the Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome (P = 0.010). Shallower plica or disappeared sacculations of colon occurred more in the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome and the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome (P = 0.002). The mucosa bridge occurred more in the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome and Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome (P = 0.280). Fragility or contact bleeding occurred more in the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome, the deficiency of Pi-qi syndrome, and Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome (P = 0. 045). Pale blood of the intestinal hemorrhage occurred more in the deficiency of Pi-qi syndrome while dark blood occurred more in the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome (P = 0.017). Pus tongue fur occurred more in the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome, the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome, and the Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome. White pus tongue fur occurred more in the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome while yellow pus tongue fur occurred more in the damp-heat of Dachang syndrome (P < 0.001). Mucus occurred more in the yang deficiency of Pi-Shen syndrome, the Gan-depression and Pi-deficiency syndrome, and the deficiency of Pi-qi syndrome (P = 0.012). Narrow enteric cavity or intestinal canal fibrosis, lead pipe like manifestations occurred more in the blood stasis of the intestine meridian syndrome (P = 0.001). Atrophic mucosa occurred more in the blood stasis of the intestine meridian syndrome and the deficiency of blood and yin syndrome (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe intestinal mucosal manifestations of AUC showed certain laws in CMS. The microscopic differences could verify macroscopic CMS to some extent.