P02.06
Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of TCM diagnosis of people with prediabetes and to document any relationships between biomarkers and TCM syndromes.
Methods: Twenty-seven participants diagnosed with prediabetes by blood test were enrolled in the study. Participants were diagnosed using nine TCM patterns by two independent TCM practitioners.
Results: Where there was exact agreement on TCM diagnosis associations with biochemical markers were examined. Despite the relatively small sample size, there was evidence that the Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp cohort was associated with higher fasting glucose, higher insulin and higher insulin resistance than those in the other 2 dominant TCM diagnostic categories.
Conclusion: The use of biomarkers to strengthen TCM diagnosis may improve reliability. Our findings were consistent with other work done in this area. A distinct TCM diagnostic group of people with prediabetes may be an appropriate target for a specific TCM formula.
Contact: Dennis Chang, d.chang@uws.edu.au
