Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate distribution of pattern identification by age in stroke patients. Methods: From 1 April, 2007 to 29 September, 2008, 903 patients within a month after onset of stroke were included. Stroke patients were interviewed by oriental medicine doctors who used standard operation procedures for this study. A questionnaire was completed by a question-and-answer form between patients and doctors after explanation of details to patients and patients' agreement given. Results: Distributions of pattern identification in stroke patients differed by age groups. Dampness-Phlegm pattern was more common in the younger group aged under 80 years, while Yin-Deficiency pattern was more common in the older group aged over 80 years. Conclusions: In this study, we found a character of distribution of pattern identification by age in stroke patients within one month after stroke onset. We have concluded that these differences should be considered in the management and treatment of stroke patients.