OBJECTIVETo explore the rules of TCM syndrome in patients with dyslipidemia and its relation with C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), carotid ultrasonic picture, blood lipids and blood viscosity.

METHODSFrom 152 recruited patients symptoms and physical signs (including figures of tongue and pulse) were selected and analyzed in grading and quantifying by factor analysis. At the same time, blood lipids, CRP, Hcy, carotid ultrasonic picture and blood viscosity were detected to conduct a canonical correlation analysis for exploring the relationship between different TCM syndromes and their corresponding physical and/or chemical indexes.

RESULTSFive types of TCM syndrome obtained by factor analysis were syndrome of Shen-yin deficiency (I), Pi-qi deficiency (II), turbid-phlegm impediment (III), blood stasis (IV), and phlegm-blood block (V). By canonical correlation analysis, they were characterized with: Type I, high levels of CRP and blood viscosity; Type II, high level of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C); Type III, high level of total cholesterol (TC) and low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); and Type V, high level of Hcy.

CONCLUSIONThe five syndrome types frequently found in patients with dyslipidemia are syndrome of Shen-yin deficiency, Pi-qi deficiency, turbid-phlegm impediment, blood stasis, and phlegm-blood block. Different syndrome has its own correlation with some corresponding physical and/or chemical laboratory indexes, the issue provides new evidences for the objectification of TCM syndromes in patients with dyslipidemia.