AIMS: In Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), quality of life(QOL) is based on the consonance of 'yin' and 'yang' indicating a good QOL. TCM diagnosis stresses holistic treatment by balancing yin and yang. Tongue diagnosis is one popular method of TCM diagnoses. Patients' constitution and symptoms can be evaluated by observing tongue color, tongue fur and other tongue features. This study addresses the relationships between QOL of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and their tongue features based on TCM diagnosis. METHODS: A total of 40 COPD patients recruited in 2004 were analyzed. QOL data were collected by using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The characteristics of the patients' tongues were objectively determined using digital photographic images. Tongues were categorized into two groups, 'excessiveness' and 'insufficiency', which corresponded to yin and yang. Excessiveness symptom-complex (blue or purple tongue, or yellow tongue fur, or plump tongue with slimy and greasy coat) indicated excessiveness symptom. Insufficiency symptom-complex (whitish tongue, or with teeth prints at the lower borders, or paralysis of the tongue) indicated insufficiency symptom. RESULTS: The results shows the patients with excessiveness symptom-complex were more significantly affected by discomfort, pain and sleeping quality. The patients with insufficiency symptom-complex had worse scores in psychological items like enjoying life, spiritual feeling, and being respected. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of patients' tongue characteristics was useful in evaluating patients' QOL, and may improve the quality of holistic treatment in TCM.?
