TCM syndrome elements and relevant factors of senile depression

Objective To investigate the relationship between TCM syndrome elements and relevant factors of senile depression. Methods The materials collected by TCM four diagnosis methods from 100 patients (over 60 year-old) with depression for the first time were reviewed by applying self-made Observation Table of TCM Syndromes of Senile Depression, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Results The TCM syndrome elements of senile depression included mostly blood deficiency, qi stagnation and qi deficiency, and the combination of these three elements was the most common in the combinations of syndrome elements. Conclusion The pathogenesis of senile depression is complicated characterized by deficiency of the root and excess of the tip. The deficiency syndromes are mainly syndrome of dual deficiency of qi and blood accompanied by marrow loss, and the excess syndromes are mainly qi stagnation syndrome and blood stasis syndrome. The locations of the disease are commonly in the liver, spleen and kidney by syndrome differentiation, and the syndrome types are mostly liver depression and spleen deficiency, and liver depression and kidney deficiency.