1.Analysis of Major Syndromes and Their Typical Related Symptoms and Signs in 135 Patients with Metabolic Syndrome:A Clinical Study Based on Syndrome Element Differentiation and Latent Class Analysis
Tong WANG ; Mingqian JIANG ; Lifen MI ; Shanyi SHEN ; Shujie XIA ; Candong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(4):376-381
ObjectiveTo explore the typical syndromes and their characteristic of symptoms and signs with high diagnostic value in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). MethodsTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic information was collected from 135 MS patients. Syndrome element differentiation and latent class analysis (LCA) were applied to identify the major TCM syndromes in MS patients. Symptoms were analyzed based on the differentiated syndromes, and a binary logistic regression model was constructed to determine symptoms and signs with high diagnostic value. ResultsA total of 135 MS patients were included, involving 163 symptoms and signs with a total frequency of 1749; twenty-three syndrome elements were extracted, 367 times frequency in total, among which 8 syndrome elements occurred ≥10 times with 323 frequencies (88.01% of the total). These included location-related elements such as kidney (48 times), spleen (14 times), and stomach (14 times), and nature-related elements such as phlegm (71 times), yin deficiency (64 times), dampness (57 times), heat (42 times), and qi deficiency (13 times). Based on LCA, the 135 patients were categorized into two groups distinguished by the syndrome elements of dampness and phlegm, forming the "phlegm-dampness syndrome" as the major syndrome type. Nine high-frequency symptoms and signs associated with the phlegm-dampness syndrome were identified,i.e. obesity (39 times), greasy coating (38 times), slippery pulse (33 times), white coating (31 times), preference for fatty and heavy foods (30 times), excessive urination (30 times), fatigue and lack of strength (29 times), wiry pulse (25 times), and dark red tongue (25 times). A binary logistic regression model was constructed combining these nine symptoms and signs with the LCA classification results, ultimately identifying obesity, greasy coating, fatigue and lack of strength, and white coating as independent factors associated with the phlegm-dampness syndrome in MS patients (P<0.05). ConclusionThe major TCM syndrome in MS patients is phlegm-dampness syndrome, and obesity, greasy coating, fatigue and lack of strength, and white coating are the typical symptoms and signs for diagnosing phlegm-dampness syndrome in MS patients.
2.Application of Symptomatic Treatment from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine State Theory
Binbin CHEN ; Yang WANG ; Wen TANG ; Shijie QIAO ; Changsha LAI ; Candong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1439-1443
Although symptomatic treatment is widely applied in clinical practice, it is often regarded as a relatively low-level therapeutic method. Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) state theory, the macroscopic, mesoscopic, and microscopic characterization parameters of TCM symptomatology are horizontally integrated, the full life cycle of states (pre-disease, incipient disease, manifest disease, post-disease) is vertically covered, and the cognitive system of "symptoms" is reconstructed from multiple dimensions. Accordingly, the application approach of symptomatic treatment at different state stages is proposed: implementing preventive intervention in the pre-disease state, strengthening the interception of disease progression in the incipient disease state, regulating dynamic development and treatment in the manifest disease state, and formulating a staged diagnosis and treatment strategy which focuses on functional rehabilitation in the post-disease state.
3.Clinical efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation based on syndrome element differentiation principle in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Ruiting Chai ; Jinwen Shi ; Fangzhen Wu ; Zhaoyang Yang ; Candong Li
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):363-378
Objective:
To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to preliminarily identify the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome element characteristics of FMT in the treatment of T2DM.
Methods:
Between March 25, 2023 and September 30, 2024, T2DM patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Rheumatology and Endocrinology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants received oral microbiota capsules as an adjunct to metformin therapy. Information obtained by four diagnostic methods of TCM, along with clinical and laboratory parameters, was collected before and after the intervention. Metagenomic sequencing was employed to analyze the gut microbiota, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between laboratory indicators and differential bacterial genera. According to the post-treatment reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), patients were categorized into a response (R) group and a non-response (NR) group. Treatment outcomes, safety indicators, gut microbiota changes, and TCM syndrome element features were compared between the two groups.
Results:
A total of 53 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis, and 30 patients were assigned to R group and 23 to NR group. After treatment, the R group exhibited significant reductions in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The NR group also showed significant decreases in HbA1c and FPG levels P < 0.01 or P < 0.05. Compared with the NR group, after treatment, FPG level in the R group demonstrated significant reductions (P < 0.01). As compared with before treatment, pancreatic islet function demonstrated enhancement in the R group, a significant increase in the 2-hour pastprandial C-peptide (2hC-P) levels in R group (P < 0.05), whereas no marked change was observed in the NR group. Regarding body composition indicators, the R group showed significantly lower waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat (VF), and subcutaneous fat (SF) levels compared with the NR group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the NR group exhibited a significant elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (P < 0.05). Other safety-related indicators fluctuated within normal reference ranges, and no other adverse events, such as diarrhea, fever, or nausea, were reported. Metagenomic sequencing showed that FMT improved the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota, remodeling its overall structure. At the phylum level, the abundance of p_Firmicutes decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while the abundances of p_Bacteroidota and p_Proteobacteria increased significantly (P < 0.01). At the family level, among the 125 identified taxa, the abundances of f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Lactobacillaceae, and f_Sutterellaceae were significantly elevated, whereas six families, including f_Lachnospiraceae, f_Ruminococcaceae, and f_Coriobacteriaceae, were significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). Among the 367 taxa at the genus level, the top 10 differential genera showed significantly increased abundances of g_Bacteroides and g_Sutterella, and significantly decreased abundances in eight genera, including g_Faecalibacterium, g_Ruminococcus, g_Blautia, and g_Collinsella (all P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that the phylum p_Bacillota was positively correlated with improvements in T2DM laboratory parameters, g_norank_f_Prevotellaceae was significantly positively correlated with fasting C-peptide (FC-P) and 2hC-P (P < 0.05). HbA1c demonstrated a significantly positive correlation with g_Blautia and g_Gemmiger (P < 0.05) and a significantly negative correlation with g_Bacteroides and g_Collinsella (P > 0.05). Analysis of syndrome element characteristics revealed that the R group was primarily characterized by pathological patterns of dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency. Before treatment, statistically significant reductions in syndrome element scores were observed for dampness, Yang deficiency, spleen, phlegm, Qi deficiency, Qi stagnation, and Yin deficiency (P < 0.01), as well as for heat and liver (P < 0.05). The NR group was mainly featured with Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. Statistically significant changes in their syndrome element scores after treatment were noted for Qi deficiency (P < 0.01), and for spleen, Qi stagnation, liver, and blood deficiency (P < 0.05). In this group, the score changes for Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, heat, and dampness were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
The principles of syndrome element differentiation can be effectively applied to predict treatment efficacy and facilitate patient selection for FMT in the treatment of T2DM. Patients with T2DM presented with specific TCM syndrome element characteristics, notably dampness, phlegm, and Yang deficiency, represent a highly responsive population to FMT therapy.
4.Application and Thinking on Multimodal Fusion Technology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Inspection
Wendi XIAO ; Long ZHU ; Yang WANG ; Xuejuan LIN ; Candong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(17):1741-1746
Multimodal fusion research in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inspection has greatly improved the accuracy of identification results with the help of emerging technologies in science and technology. At present, multimodal fusion technology is used in the integration of the parameters collected by the inspection instruments and the analysis of the parameters, which is represented by the development and application of the tongue inspection instrument, the face inspection instrument and the eye inspection instrument. However, the multimodal fusion research of TCM inspection has problems such as insufficient comprehensiveness and accuracy of parameter acquisition, difficulty in parameter integration for fusion analysis, and low clinical practicability of identification results. It is believed that, while keeping up with the cutting-edge science and technology, research on multimodal fusion of TCM inspection should be guided by the holism concept of TCM, and should focus on the enhancement of comprehensiveness and accuracy of multimodal parameter acquisition, standardisation of parameter fusion, and fusion of identification results, so as to gradually promote the objectivity, intelligence and modernisation of the four diagnostic methods of TCM.
5.Summary of Application Strategies for Traditional Chinese Medical Diagnostic Thinking in the Absence of Symptoms for Differentiation
Binbin CHEN ; Yang WANG ; Wen TANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Changsha LAI ; Candong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(7):669-673
The essence of asymptomatic syndrome differenciation is that the disease is in a special stage or state. To perform traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis when there was no symptoms for differentiation is a key scientific issue in current TCM diagnosis and treatment. The reasons include limitations in doctor-patient behaviors and relationships, as well as limitations in cognitive thinking. To address such situations, the following strategies can be adopted from a thinking perspective,i.e. grasping the occurrence and development of diseases based on a holistic concept, using dialectical thinking to summarize the laws of diseases, integrating clinical practice with experiential thinking, and introducing new thinking modes through interdisciplinary collaboration. These strategies help TCM practitioners make accurate diagnoses in the absence of obvious symptoms, thereby providing better medical services for patients.
6.Applications of Micro-Indicators in Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on the Trinity Life View of Body,Qi,and Spirit
Zhibin WANG ; Yang WANG ; Weijie HUANG ; Wen TANG ; Kang TONG ; Ruifang LIU ; Candong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(4):337-340
The microcosmic syndrome differentiation is expounded from the the trinity life view of the body, qi, and spirit. This article analysed the relationship between micro-indicators and body, qi and spirit, considering that the abnormalities of micro-indicators in pathological states involve three different levels in terms of body, qi and spirit, and may reflect the degree of malfunction of body, qi and spirit and the dynamic changes of the focus during different pathological processes.Accordingly, based on the syndrome differentiation and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine, it is proposed that the macroscopic and the microscopic, the local and the whole, as well as the imbalance of body, qi and spirit reflected by microscopic and macroscopic indicators at different stages of disease should be combined to determine the corresponding treatment, thereby restoring the “harmony of body and spirit” of the human body.
7.Application strategy of the"You Gu Wu Yun"theory to reduce the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine from the perspective of"traditional Chinese medicine state"
Shijie QIAO ; Zongchen WEI ; Ziyao CAI ; Chao FU ; Shunan LI ; Zhanglin WANG ; Liqing HUANG ; Kang TONG ; Wen TANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Hairui HAN ; Duoduo LIN ; Shaodong ZHANG ; Huangwei LEI ; Yang WANG ; Candong LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1506-1511
Based on the"You Gu Wu Yun"theory in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),this paper believes that"Gu"in"You Gu Wu Yun"is extended to"state"from the perspective of"TCM state".In order to avoid the adverse reactions of TCM,the macro,meso,and micro three views should be used together,and macro,meso,and micro parameters should be integrated.We should also carefully identify the physiological characteristics,pathological characteristics,constitution,syndrome,and disease of human body by combining qualitative and quantitative method,highlighting the relationship between the prescription and the"state".The correspondence between prescription and the"state"will reduce the risk of adverse reactions of TCM.In this paper,we hope to focus on the guiding role of the"You Gu Wu Yun"theory in TCM research,to give full play to the characteristics and advantages of TCM,and to dialectically treat the role of TCM.
8.Promoting Reform of Talent Evaluation Based on China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Kaige ZHANG ; Yong ZHU ; Jisheng WANG ; Liangzhen YOU ; Weijun HUANG ; Jie YANG ; Candong LI ; Genping LEI ; Chuan ZHENG ; Shuzhen GUO ; Longtao LIU ; Zhining TIAN ; Xinping QIU ; Wenli SU ; Zuo LI ; Wei YAN ; Hongcai SHANG ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):220-226
Talents are the main force for the development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), and the construction of TCM talents and the reformation of talent evaluation system are essential to promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. At present, we are still exploring and developing in the fields of the formulation, implementation and evaluation indicators of TCM talent evaluation system. However, there are shortcomings and difficulties. For instance, insufficient stratification in the evaluation, excessive emphasis on the quantity of achievements, neglecting the quality of the achievements and the actual contribution, imperfect assessment indicators, and the weak characteristics of TCM. Therefore, national ministries and commissions have jointly issued a document requesting to break the four only and set a new standard, in order to promote the construction of a scientific and technological talent evaluation system oriented by innovation value, ability and contribution. For the evaluation of TCM clinical talents, China Association for Science and Technology commissioned China Association of Chinese Medicine to build the China Clinical Cases Library of TCM(CCCL-TCM), which aims at collecting the most authoritative and representative TCM clinical cases and exploring the advantages of applying clinical cases as masterpiece of achievement in TCM clinical talents evaluation. CCCL-TCM can promote the construction of a talent evaluation system that is more in line with the development characteristics of TCM industry, and to carry out relevant pilot in TCM colleges and institutions across the country in order to promote the reformation of TCM talent evaluation system.
9.New interpretation of the theoretical connotation of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome from the longitudinal perspective of"traditional Chinese medicine state"
Shijie QIAO ; Chao FU ; Ziyao CAI ; Wen TANG ; Zhanglin WANG ; Zhibin WANG ; Kang TONG ; Mingzhu LI ; Hairui HAN ; Duoduo LIN ; Shaodong ZHANG ; Huangwei LEI ; Yang WANG ; Candong LI
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(6):760-764
The correspondence between prescription and syndrome is the advantage and characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment.However,the pathogenesis of clinical diseases is complex and the condition is changeable,and the clinical application is difficult to achieve the maximum effect under the existing cognition of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome.In this paper,the five categories of physiological characteristics,pathological characteristics,constitution,syndrome,and disease of the longitudinal classification of"TCM state"are introduced into the correspondence of prescription and syndrome.Under the vertical perspective of"TCM state",the theoretical connotation of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome is interpreted as"correspondence between prescription and state",namely correspondence of"prescription-physiological characteristics",correspondence of"prescription-pathological characteristics",correspondence of"prescription-constitution",correspondence of"prescription-syndrome",and correspondence of"prescription-disease".It is hoped to accurately grasp the corresponding connotation of the correspondence between prescription and syndrome,in order to deepen the clinical thinking mode of TCM.
10.Discussion on Innovative Methods of the Clinical Efficacy Evaluation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Context of Personalized Medicine
Xinrui QIU ; Xiangjie LENG ; Xinmei LAI ; Zhaoyang YANG ; Jiqian FANG ; Candong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(23):2389-2393
Personalized medicine emphasizes individualized and dynamic treatment decisions. There is an urgent need for a new efficacy evaluation system that can adapt to this approach. By reviewing past clinical research practices, this article pointed out the innovative needs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) efficacy evaluation from the perspective of personalized medicine in terms of ethical review, trial design, data management, and statistical analysis. Focusing on these needs, the article has proposed a strategic framework using syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM as an example. The framework includes a method based on subgroup dynamic-static parallel group design and analysis, a safeguard mechanism of continuous review, dynamic informed consent, and multicenter ethical review, a technological support platform for personalized clinical efficacy evaluation and evidence support, and a statistical strategy integrating Bayesian and traditional analysis methods, aiming to promote the development of personalized TCM diagnosis and treatment.

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