Analysis on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome elements and relevant factors for senile diabetes

To explore the laws governing the distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome elements (SEs) of senile diabetes (SD) and their relationship to relevant factors.

An investigation of patients who met the inclusion criteria was conducted by trained doctors, using case report forms. All related data were collected, including body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, illness course, complications, symptoms, and tongue and pulse manifestation. The SEs of each patient were judged by three qualified associate chief physicians independently.

The main SEs of SD are Yin deficiency, Qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm turbidity. Yin deficiency, Qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm turbidity are most commonly seen among 4-SE combinations. Yang deficiency is typically related to illness course and BMI, phlegm turbidity to hypertension and hyperlipidemia, excessive heat to diabetic microangiopathy, and blood stasis to illness course and diabetic macroangiopathy.

SD pathogenesis has a deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality. Deficiency syndrome mainly manifests as deficiency of both Qi and Yin, and concurrently in Yang deficiency. Excess syndrome is characterized by blood stasis and phlegm turbidity. SEs analysis provides a basis for the prevention and treatment of SD with TCM and lays the foundation for objectively evaluating multicentric clinical research for SD in TCM.