ABSTRACT
Objective To develop a scale for evaluating the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for liver disease under the guidance of the theory of TCM, and to improve the TCM efficacy evaluation standard system for liver disease. Methods According to the TCM theory, the concept model of the liver disease-specific scale was built in combination with the international connotation of QOL and patient-reported outcomes ( PRO). A primary clinical scale was established after item pool screening, field test, culture adaptation and clinical pre-survey by the research staff. Finally, 200 questionnaires were distributed and 198 questionnaires were reclaimed. Statistical analysis was conducted to choose the items. Results All the selected items were analyzed by the different statistical methods, including significance grading, discrete tendency ( coefficient of variation ) method, stepwise regression analysis, discriminatory analysis, Cronbach’s al pha, and principal component analysis and factor analysis. A self-reported subjective scale and a perceived objective scale were developed, including 17 self-reported subjective items and 13 objective items. Conclusion According to the TCM theory and the international connotation of QOL, the scale of assessing curative effect of TCM for liver disease is practical and repeatable. It will be worthy of further evaluation and promotion to clinical application.