Table 1 Scale to assess the Yin deficiency intestine heat pattern of constipation
Definitions of item categories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
1. Dry and hard stool | Negative | Slightly | Moderately | Extremely |
2. Prolonged interval of spontaneous defecation | Negative | Interval ≥ 72 h | Interval ≥ 96 h | Interval ≥ 120 h |
3. Sensation of incomplete evacuation | Negative | Slightly; occasionally | Moderately; sometimes | Severely; usually |
4. Defecation pain | Negative | Slightly; occasionally | Moderately; sometimes; no obvious impact on defecation | Severely; always; afraid of defecation because of pain |
5. Difficult bowel movement | Negative | Slightly | Moderately; arduously | Extremely difficult; need assistance |
6. Abdominal distension | Negative | Slightly | Moderately; tolerable | Severely; intolerable |
7. Reduced appetite | Negative | Slightly | Moderately; reduced food intake ≥ 1/3 | Severely; reduced food intake ≥ 1/2 |
8. Dry mouth and throat | Negative | Slightly; occasionally | Moderately; sometimes | Severely; usually; increased water intake |
9. Sweaty palm and planta; distracted feeling | Negative | Slightly; occasionally | Moderately; sometimes | Severely; feel distracted all the day |
10. Tea-colored urine, reduced urine volume | Negative | Slightly | Moderately tea-colored; reduced urine volume ≥ 1/4 | Extremely tea-colored; reduced urine volume ≥ 1/3 |