1.Treatment Strategies for Sundowning Syndrome in Alzheimer's Disease Based on the Zi Wu Liu Zhu Theory
Xingyun SUN ; Fuyao LI ; Jing SHI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(13):1340-1344
This paper explores the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pathomechanism, as well as pattern differentiation and treatments for sundowning syndrome in Alzheimer's disease through midnight-noon and ebb-flow theory. The syndrome's onset aligns with three critical time periods governed by three specific channels, including the bladder channel (3:00—5:00 pm, Shen period), the kidney channel (5:00—7:00 pm, You period), and the pericardium channel (7:00—9:00 pm, Xu period). It is believed that when the symptoms occurred at the bladder channel (Shen period), the pathomechanism manifested as yang qi floating upward and internal heat-blood stasis, and the treatment should supplement the kidney and essence, expelling stasis and discharging heat, as well as returning fire to its origin, using modified Taohe Chengqi Decoction (桃核承气汤) combined with Erzhi Pill (二至丸). When the symptoms occurred at the kidney channel (You period), the pathomechanism characterized by marrow sea deficiency and yin failing to anchor yang, so treatment follows the principles of supplementing the kidney and filling essence, as well as calming the mind and subduing yang, using modified Liuwei Dihuang Pill (六味地黄丸) combined with Erzhi Pill (二至丸). When the symptoms occurred at the pericardium channel (Xu period), the pathomechanism characterized as phlegm-turbidity clouding the mind and obstructing the brain, then the intervention need clear heat and dissolve phlegm, as well as open the orifices and calm the mind, using modified Wendan Decoction (温胆汤). Additionally, comprehensive therapy combining oral administration of TCM decoctions with acupuncture, pressure pills on ear points, and point application therapy, which provides clinical insights for the treatment of this disease.
2.Distribution and prognosis analysis of TCM syndromes elements in elderly patients with sepsis and septic shock
Fuyao NAN ; Caijun WU ; Junxi LIU ; Xiang JI ; Yuanzhen JIAN ; Lan LI ; Wei BI
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;46(9):1113-1120
Objective:To analyze the distribution pattern of TCM syndrome elements in elderly patients with sepsis and septic shock, as well as the relationship between TCM syndrome elements, Sepsis Sequential Organ Failure Score (SOFA), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Score Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ), and short-term mortality prognosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 58 patients treated in the Emergency Department and ICU of Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 2021, to May 1, 2022. The patients were divided into a sepsis group of 38 cases and a septic shock group of 20 cases based on disease type. Basic information, TCM syndromes, SOFA score, and APACHE Ⅱ score of the two groups were collected. The survival and death statuses of the two groups within 28 days of admission were separately analyzed. Association rule analysis was used to investigate the distribution pattern of TCM syndromes in patients, and logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between TCM syndromes, SOFA score, APACHE Ⅱ score, and death prognosis.Results:In the sepsis group, the main TCM syndromes included yin deficiency, lung, phlegm, qi deficiency, blood stasis, heat, and yang deficiency; while in the septic shock group, the main TCM syndromes were yin deficiency, lung, yang deficiency, and qi deficiency. Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that in the sepsis group, liver syndromes [ OR (95% CI)=0.080 (0.011, 0.578), P=0.012], meridians and collaterals [ OR (95% CI)=0.088 (0.011, 0.718), P=0.024], SOFA score [ OR (95% CI)=0.524 (0.310, 0.886), P=0.016], and APACHE Ⅱ score [ OR (95% CI)=0.426 (0.186, 0.977), P=0.044] were independent influencing factors for patient mortality prognosis. In the septic shock group, phlegm [ OR (95% CI)=0.014 (0.001, 0.267), P=0.005], meridians and collaterals [ OR (95% CI)=0.041 (0.003, 0.618), P=0.021], yang deficiency [ OR (95% CI)=0.028 (0.002, 0.427), P=0.010], SOFA score [ OR (95% CI)=0.543 (0.310, 0.950), P=0.032], and APACHE Ⅱ score [ OR (95% CI)=0.633 (0.408, 0.985), P=0.042] were independent influencing factors for patient mortality prognosis. Conclusions:The sepsis group mainly exhibits a mixture of deficiency and excess, while the septic shock group predominantly shows deficiency. Qi deficiency and yin deficiency are consistent throughout the disease progression. Meridians and collaterals, high SOFA score, and high APACHE Ⅱ score in elderly patients with sepsis and septic shock may indicate a poorer prognosis.

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