Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome patterns and associated factors in adults with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome: a data-driven analysis

Category	Detail
Condition	Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome
Key Mechanisms	Syndrome differentiation based on Traditional Chinese Medicine principles
Target Population	Adults with comorbid Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in Hong Kong
Care Setting	Cross-sectional study

Identified 5 symptom-based syndromes using PCA: Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency, Qi and Yin Deficiency, Kidney Essence Deficiency, Yin and Yang Deficiency, Phlegm and Blood Stasis.
LCA identified 5 latent patient subgroups: Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency, Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency, Qi and Yin Deficiency with Phlegm-Blood Stasis, among others.
Syndrome patterns significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics, clinical parameters, lifestyle behaviors, and patient-reported outcomes.
Data-driven methods can refine TCM syndrome classifications beyond expert consensus.
Future TCM research may benefit from prioritizing empirically derived classifications.

Utilize syndrome differentiation based on holistic analysis of symptoms, signs, pulse, and tongue appearance.

Consider TCM approaches alongside conventional treatments for diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Monitor for complications associated with comorbid T2DM and MetS, including cardiovascular risks.

Adults with comorbid Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome.

TCM may improve glucose control and manage multiple components of MetS with minimal adverse reactions.

Employ data-driven methods like PCA and LCA for patient stratification.
Integrate TCM principles into the management of T2DM and MetS.
Focus on personalized management strategies based on identified syndrome patterns.

Clinical Scorecard: Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Classifications and Contributing Factors in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome: A Data-Driven Approach