From "different patterns in the same disease" to "analogous patterns in the same disease" / 中国中西医结合杂志

ABSTRACT

The relationship between disease in Western medicine (WM) and pattern in Chinese medicine (CM) is a key scientific issue in integrative medicine (IM). The theory of "different patterns in the same disease" has greatly promoted the development of IM and the modernization of CM. However, this concept is frequently misinterpreted in the clinical practice. The individual difference was overemphasized, while common changes among patients suffering from the same disease were neglected. As a result, the identification and treatment of common changes based patterns were weakened. The theory of "analogous patterns in the same disease" combines the concept of "different patterns in the same disease" and "microcosmic identification of patterns", which reveals the core mechanism of CM from the pathogenesis, and identifies the major pattern by analyses of manifestations and pathologic changes. And under the guidance of the theory of "formula corresponding to pattern", the major formula can be set for the major pattern. For those differences among individuals suffering from the same disease, they can be identified as different analogous patterns (subtypes) within a same major pattern, and can be treated with analogous formulae deriving from modified major formula. The theory of "analogous patterns in the same disease" clarifies the intrinsic relationship between the disease and pattern, perfects and develops the theory of "different patterns in the same disease", and it is an important innovation in thinking ways and research methods of IM.