Tongue, complexion and pulse research of Chronic Gastritis based on spectral clustering and modularity

Objective: Exploring the regular pattern in combination characteristics of tongue, complexion and pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and further discussing the standardization of syndrome differentiation of Chronic Gastritis. Methods: Based on 919 Chronic Gastritis cases collected, we combined the algorithms of SM spectral clustering with modularity to identifying sign groups for the involved 112 signs of Chronic Gastritis based on similarity matrix computed by the method of mutual information. Results: The 112 signs were finally clustered into 13 categories. The results of the study suggested that the locations of the disease involved were spleen, stomach, kidney, etc. The general syndrome elements of disease nature included qi asthenia, yang asthenia and blood stasis, etc. Conclusion: These groups consisting of tongue, complexion and pulse identified by spectral clustering with modularity are consistent with clinical experience and TCM theories. It could provide the reference for the research of standardization of the syndrome and syndrome elements differentiation of TCM.