Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study is to examine the interpretability of the questionnaire-based pattern identification in terms of biosignals. For this purpose, we investigate the relationship between electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) and Qi-Blood-Yin-Yang Deficiency Questionnaire (QBYY-Q) in diabetic patients. Methods A total of 40 patients with diabetes mellitus answered the QBYY-Q and their ESC were measured by SUDOSCAN device (a diabetes screening device, France). To analyze the relationship between QBYY-Q and ESC, ANOVA analysis and Scheffe test were performed and Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained. Results Of the 40 diabetic patients, 23 (57.5%) were males and 17 (42.5%) were females. According to the QBYY-Q, 9 patients were classified into Qi deficiency pattern (QD), 9 patients were Blood deficiency pattern (BD), 10 patients were Yin deficiency pattern (YiD) and 12 patients were Yang deficiency pattern (YaD). Demographic information (age, body mass index, duration of illness, etc.), signs of vitality (blood pressure, body temperature, etc.), fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin were not significantly different in each deficiency pattern. The ESC of the right leg was significantly lower in the BD group compared to the YiD group (p<0.022). Pearson's correlation coefficient was negatively correlated with the BD questionnaire score (r=-0.343, p <0.05). Finally, ESC showed a positive correlation with hemoglobin and erythrocyte levels in all limbs (r=0.483, p<0.01). Conclusions We showed that ESC could be used to classify the Deficiency pattern identifications in diabetic patients. Especially, the ESC was significantly lower in the BD group and was negatively correlated with the BD scores. It implies the potential utility of the ESC to understand the BD in terms of modern biosignals.