P03.14. A Study of Tongue and Pulse Diagnosis in Traditional Korean Medicine for Stroke Patients Based on Quantification Theory Type II

Focus Area: Integrative Approaches to Care INTRODUCTION: In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), pattern identification (PI) diagnosis is important for treating diseases. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the relationship between the PI type and tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis variables. METHODS: The study included 1879 stroke patients who were admitted into 12 oriental medical university hospitals from June 2006 through March 2009. The status of the pulse and tongue was examined in each patient. Additionally, to investigate relatively important indicators related to specialist PI, the quantification theory type II analysis was performed regarding the 4 types of PI. RESULTS: In the first axis quantification of the external criteria, the Qi-deficiency (QD) and the Yin-deficiency (YD) were located in the negative direction, while the dampness-phlegm (DP) and fire-heat (FH) patterns were located in the positive direction; the locations were used to differentiate between excess and deficiency. The explanatory variable with the greatest impact on the assessment was a pulse diagnosis variable known as fine pulse, and the diagnosis was related to both types of deficiencies. In the second axis quantification, the external criteria were divided into either the DP or non-DP pattern. The slippery pulse diagnostic explanatory variable exhibited the greatest effect on the division. CONCLUSION: _The results of this study support the objectivity of the theories of TKM. This study attempted to build a model using a statistical method to objectively quantify PI and various indicators that constitute the unique diagnosis system of TKM. Furthermore, the results of this study should assist the selection, development, and modification of future diagnostic standards in TKM for stroke PI.