OBJECTIVE: Symptom patterns are an important diagnostic concept in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although symptom patterns and healthrelated quality of life(HRQOL) are common diagnostic measures for cancer pa...OBJECTIVE: Symptom patterns are an important diagnostic concept in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although symptom patterns and healthrelated quality of life(HRQOL) are common diagnostic measures for cancer patients, the association between them has not been studied. This study aimed to describe the changes in the pattern of symptoms of Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, blood stasis, and HRQOL before and after chemotherapy,and to examine the association between the patterns and the cancer patients' HRQOL.METHODS: A panel study was undertaken with 123 cancer patients who were about to begin their first course of chemotherapy at four teaching hospitals in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was used before and after chemotherapy. HRQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 36. The Traditional Chinese Medical Constitutional Scale was used to measure Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, and blood stasis patterns,with higher scores indicating a larger deficiency.RESULTS: The patients had significantly worse scores for Yang-deficient pattern, Yin-deficiency pattern, blood stasis pattern, and the physical components of HRQOL after chemotherapy compared with before chemotherapy. The HRQOL scores correlated significantly with Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, and the blood stasis pattern scores. A generalized estimating equation model showed that the HRQOL scores were significantly worse after chemotherapy compared with before chemotherapy for the physical component, but not for the mental component. Blood stasis pattern was significantly associated with a decreased HRQOL in both the physical and mental components. A hemoglobin level < 12 g/d L was associated with a worse physical component of HRQOL.CONCLUSION: The Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency,and blood stasis patterns were all associated with lower HRQOLincancerpatientsafterchemotherapy.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To examine whether color parameters of tongue inspection(TI)using a digital camera was reliable and valid,and to examine which color parameters serve as predictors of symptom patterns in terms of East Asian ...OBJECTIVE:To examine whether color parameters of tongue inspection(TI)using a digital camera was reliable and valid,and to examine which color parameters serve as predictors of symptom patterns in terms of East Asian medicine(EAM).METHODS:Two hundred female subjects'tongue substances were photographed by a mega-pixel digital camera.Together with the photographs,the subjects were asked to complete Yin deficiency,Phlegm pattern,and Cold-Heat pattern questionnaires.Using three sets of digital imaging software,each digital image was exposure-and white balance-corrected,and finally L*(luminance),a*(red-green balance),and b*(yellow-blue balance)values of the tongues werecalculated.To examine intra-and inter-rater reliabilities and criterion validity of the color analysis method,three raters were asked to calculate color parameters for 20 digital image samples.Finally,four hierarchical regression models were formed.RESULTS:Color parameters showed good or excellent reliability(0.627-0.887 for intra-class correlation coefficients)and significant criterion validity(0.523-0.718 for Spearman's correlation).In the hierarchical regression models,age was a significant predictor of Yin deficiency(β=0.192),and b*value of the tip of the tongue was a determinant predictor of Yin deficiency,Phlegm,and Heat patterns(β=-0.212,-0.172,and-0.163).Luminance(L*)was predictive of Yin deficiency(β=-0.172)and Cold(β=0.173)pattern.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that color analysis of the tongue using the L*a*b*system is reliable and valid,and that color parameters partially serve as symptom pattern predictors in EAM practice.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the patterns of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes and the serum concentration of zinc,iron,copper and magnesium of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) and h...OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the patterns of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes and the serum concentration of zinc,iron,copper and magnesium of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) and hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced liver cirrhosis.METHODS:A total of 86 patients were included in the study between March 1,2009 and January 1,2010.All were diagnosed with CHB or HBV-induced liver cirrhosis according to the diagnosis standard of the Chinese Medical Association.Fasting serum concentrations of zinc,iron,copper and magnesium were measured.Patients were classified into different patterns of TCM symptoms according to TCM theory and clinical experience.RESULTS:In the HBV-induced liver cirrhosis group,the mean zinc concentration in patients with the TCM pattern of stagnation of fluid-Dampness was lower than that in patients with obstruction of collaterals by Blood stasis(P < 0.034).In the CHB group,the mean magnesium concentration in patients with toxic Heat flourishing was significantly lower than that in those with Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder,and those with Liver depression and Spleen deficiency(P < 0.021).The concentrations of iron and copper showed little difference among the different TCM symptom patterns.CONCLUSION:The serum zinc and magnesium concentrations correlated with certain TCM patterns of symptoms in patients with HBV-induced liver cirrhosis and CHB.It may be helpful to interpret the pathogenic change in the TCM symptom patterns in liver cirrhosis and CHB,and also to conduct clinical treatment of the diseases based on identified TCM patterns.展开更多
基金the Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy,Ministry of Health and Welfare,Taiwan Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of Patients with Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy:Based on Meridian Energy Results(First Year),No.CCMP98-RD-034Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis of Patients With Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy:Based on Meridian Energy Results(Second Year),No.CCMP99-RD-106Construction of Care Model of Integrative Medicine for Patients With Cancer,No.CCMP100-RD-026
文摘OBJECTIVE: Symptom patterns are an important diagnostic concept in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Although symptom patterns and healthrelated quality of life(HRQOL) are common diagnostic measures for cancer patients, the association between them has not been studied. This study aimed to describe the changes in the pattern of symptoms of Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, blood stasis, and HRQOL before and after chemotherapy,and to examine the association between the patterns and the cancer patients' HRQOL.METHODS: A panel study was undertaken with 123 cancer patients who were about to begin their first course of chemotherapy at four teaching hospitals in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was used before and after chemotherapy. HRQOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 36. The Traditional Chinese Medical Constitutional Scale was used to measure Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, and blood stasis patterns,with higher scores indicating a larger deficiency.RESULTS: The patients had significantly worse scores for Yang-deficient pattern, Yin-deficiency pattern, blood stasis pattern, and the physical components of HRQOL after chemotherapy compared with before chemotherapy. The HRQOL scores correlated significantly with Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, and the blood stasis pattern scores. A generalized estimating equation model showed that the HRQOL scores were significantly worse after chemotherapy compared with before chemotherapy for the physical component, but not for the mental component. Blood stasis pattern was significantly associated with a decreased HRQOL in both the physical and mental components. A hemoglobin level < 12 g/d L was associated with a worse physical component of HRQOL.CONCLUSION: The Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency,and blood stasis patterns were all associated with lower HRQOLincancerpatientsafterchemotherapy.
文摘OBJECTIVE:To examine whether color parameters of tongue inspection(TI)using a digital camera was reliable and valid,and to examine which color parameters serve as predictors of symptom patterns in terms of East Asian medicine(EAM).METHODS:Two hundred female subjects'tongue substances were photographed by a mega-pixel digital camera.Together with the photographs,the subjects were asked to complete Yin deficiency,Phlegm pattern,and Cold-Heat pattern questionnaires.Using three sets of digital imaging software,each digital image was exposure-and white balance-corrected,and finally L*(luminance),a*(red-green balance),and b*(yellow-blue balance)values of the tongues werecalculated.To examine intra-and inter-rater reliabilities and criterion validity of the color analysis method,three raters were asked to calculate color parameters for 20 digital image samples.Finally,four hierarchical regression models were formed.RESULTS:Color parameters showed good or excellent reliability(0.627-0.887 for intra-class correlation coefficients)and significant criterion validity(0.523-0.718 for Spearman's correlation).In the hierarchical regression models,age was a significant predictor of Yin deficiency(β=0.192),and b*value of the tip of the tongue was a determinant predictor of Yin deficiency,Phlegm,and Heat patterns(β=-0.212,-0.172,and-0.163).Luminance(L*)was predictive of Yin deficiency(β=-0.172)and Cold(β=0.173)pattern.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that color analysis of the tongue using the L*a*b*system is reliable and valid,and that color parameters partially serve as symptom pattern predictors in EAM practice.
文摘OBJECTIVE:To investigate the correlation between the patterns of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndromes and the serum concentration of zinc,iron,copper and magnesium of patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) and hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced liver cirrhosis.METHODS:A total of 86 patients were included in the study between March 1,2009 and January 1,2010.All were diagnosed with CHB or HBV-induced liver cirrhosis according to the diagnosis standard of the Chinese Medical Association.Fasting serum concentrations of zinc,iron,copper and magnesium were measured.Patients were classified into different patterns of TCM symptoms according to TCM theory and clinical experience.RESULTS:In the HBV-induced liver cirrhosis group,the mean zinc concentration in patients with the TCM pattern of stagnation of fluid-Dampness was lower than that in patients with obstruction of collaterals by Blood stasis(P < 0.034).In the CHB group,the mean magnesium concentration in patients with toxic Heat flourishing was significantly lower than that in those with Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder,and those with Liver depression and Spleen deficiency(P < 0.021).The concentrations of iron and copper showed little difference among the different TCM symptom patterns.CONCLUSION:The serum zinc and magnesium concentrations correlated with certain TCM patterns of symptoms in patients with HBV-induced liver cirrhosis and CHB.It may be helpful to interpret the pathogenic change in the TCM symptom patterns in liver cirrhosis and CHB,and also to conduct clinical treatment of the diseases based on identified TCM patterns.
