Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Apply spectral clustering to analyze the patterns of symptoms in patients with chronic gastritis(CG).METHODS: Based on 919 CG subjects, we applied mutual information feature selection to choose the positively correlated symptoms with each pattern.Then, we used the Shi and Malik spectral clustering algorithm to select the top 20 correlated symptoms.RESULTS: We ascertained the results of six patterns.There were three categories for the pattern of accumulation of damp heat in the spleen-stomach(0.00332). There were six categories for the pattern of dampness obstructing the spleen-stomach(0.02466). There were two categories for the pattern of spleen-stomach Qi deficiency(0.013 89).There were three categories for the pattern of spleen-stomach deficiency cold(0.009 15). There were five categories for the pattern of liver-Qistagnation(0.01910).There were four categories for the pattern of stagnant heat in the liver-stomach(0.00585).CONCLUSION: Most of the spectral clustering results of the symptoms of CG patterns were in accordance with clinical experience and Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. Most categories suggested the nature and/or location of the disease.

Key words: Gastritis, Cluster analysis, Pattern, Symptom complex