Evaluation indexes for symptom changes in Chinese medicine

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Research
• Clinical Symptomatology

Background:

• Symptom evaluation is crucial in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for diagnosis and treatment efficacy.
• Standardized methods for assessing symptom changes are needed for consistent clinical practice and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically screen and categorize evaluation indexes for symptom changes within the framework of Chinese medicine.
• To provide a comprehensive summary of how symptom alterations are assessed in TCM.

Main Methods:

• A historical case database was compiled using records of renowned physicians from 1866 onwards.
• Symptom change descriptions from patient follow-up records were extracted and analyzed.
• Evaluation indexes related to symptom modifications were systematically identified and summarized.

Main Results:

• A total of 243 distinct evaluation indexes were identified across 256 different symptoms.
• Commonly assessed characteristics of symptom changes include frequency, quantity, intensity (degree), mobility, and color.
• The correlation of symptoms with fatigue emerged as a significant factor in symptom evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Evaluating symptom changes in Chinese medicine is multifaceted, encompassing various dimensions.
• Simultaneous symptoms and their fluctuations (alleviation or aggravation) offer insights into the primary symptom's changes.
• The influence of inducing factors is a critical component in accurately judging symptom evolution.