Objective To study the TCM syndrome characteristics of chronic renal failure （CRF）. Methods The retrospective analysis was made to analyze the correlation between the clinical manifestations

characteristics of TCM syndromes

Ben-deficiency syndrome and Biao-excess syndrome

and the correlation between different CRF stages

primary diseases

and TCM syndromes. Results The first five symptoms of CRF were: lassitude

dark complexion

soreness and weakness in the lumbus and legs

poor appetite

and shortness of breath. The Ben-deficiency syndrome was mainly Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney

then Qi and yin deficiency

and then both yin and yang deficiency; the Biao-excess syndrome was mainly blood stasis

then dampness

water retention

damp-heat

and wind stirring. Distribution of syndromes of dampness

damp-heat

water retention

and wind stirring in Ben-deficiency was not balanced （P<0.05）

while that of syndromes of blood stasis was balanced in Ben-deficiency （P>0.05）. Distribution of Ben-deficiency syndromes was not balanced in different CRF stages （P<0.05）. In Biao-excess

distribution of blood stasis and wind stirring syndromes was not balanced in different CRF stages （P<0.05）

while distribution of dampness

damp-heat

and water retention syndromes was balanced （P>0.05）. Ben-deficiency in causing the different primary diseases of CRF was balanced in distribution （P>0.05）. In Biao-excess

distribution of blood stasis

water retention

and wind stirring syndromes in different primary diseases was not balanced （P<0.05）

while distribution of dampness and damp-heat syndromes was balanced （P>0.05）. Conclusion Qi deficiency of spleen and kidney is Ben-primary while blood stasis and dampness are Biao-secondary in the pathogenesis of CRF in TCM.