Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types Among Single-Syndrome Bipolar Mania Cases Described in Chinese Literature

The aim of this study was to identify and understand the syndromes of mania in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as described in Chinese literature on the integrated treatment of mania using TCM and Western medicine.

A literature search conducted in Chinese databases identified 27 articles that were included in a statistical analysis to determine the proportion of mania cases represented by various TCM syndromes.

After combining similar syndromes, we found that the TCM syndromes of mania could be categorized as phlegm-fire disturbance of the mind (Tanhuoraoshen), phlegm-heat stagnation (Tanreyujie), qi stagnation and blood stasis (Qizhixueyu), liver qi stagnation (Gandanyure), and fire injury Yin (Huoshengshnagyin). These syndrome categories accounted for 55.6%, 18.5%, 14.8%, 7.4% and 3.7% of mania cases, respectively. Manic symptom severity scores differed significantly among phlegm-fire disturbance of the mind (26.8 ± 1.6), phlegm-heat stagnation (31.1 ± 1.9), and qi stagnation and blood stasis (23.5 ± 2.2).

The largest proportion of mania cases involved phlegm-fire disturbance of the mind, phlegm-heat stagnation, or qi stagnation and blood stasis. Cumulatively, these syndromes accounted for 88.9% of cases; the severity of manic symptoms different significantly among the 3 syndrome categories. Smaller proportions of cases represented liver qi stagnation or fire injury Yin.