Fafeng Cheng a1  Xueqian Wang a1  Wenting Song b Yi Lu a  Xiaoli Li c  Hanrui Zhang d  Qingguo Wang a
a.
College of Basic Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
b.
Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
c.
School of Humanities, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
d.
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome is an integral and essential component of TCM theory, and goes beyond philosophic concepts. This article reviews the concept of TCM syndromes and summarizes research findings on the biologic foundation of syndromes. In addition, insight is provided into the promotion of standardization of syndrome classification by enforcing uniformity of TCM terminology, applying standardized diagnostic criteria and operating procedures to minimize subjective effects. Also incorporating interdisciplinary approaches such as data mining and structure modeling, as well as integrating findings on biomarker research are discussed. Consideration is made of the fundamental TCM aspects of syndrome elements, symptoms, phenotypic features, as well as diseases, to form an integral process in the diagnostic path. We believe that better understanding of the biologic basis of the TCM syndrome and standardization of syndrome classification will improve diagnosis, which in turn will enhance therapeutic efficacy and disease prognosis.

Keywords

Traditional Chinese medicine /Syndrome /Syndrome elements /Syndrome differentiation

Abbreviations

TCM traditional Chinese medicine RA rheumatoid arthritis