Objective To compare and analyze the formula composition regularity for gout

severe migratory arthralgia and migratory arthralgia in ancient literature.Methods The ancient formulas for gout

severe migratory arthralgia and migratory arthralgia were searched and the Access database was established according to the formula information.The top 30high-fre-quency herbs were analyzed with hypothesis testing and association rules.Results Totally 352formulas were collected inclu-ding 78formulas for gout

173formulas for severe migratory arthralgia and 101formulas for migratory arthralgia.Danggui （Radix Angelicae Sinensis） was the highest-frequency herb in three kinds of formulas.The frequently used herbs in each kind of formula as compared with other two kinds were:Cangzhu （Rhizoma Atractylodis）

Huangbai （Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis） and Shudihuang （Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata） in formulas for gout

Mahuang （Herba Ephedrae） and Shaoyao （Radix Paeoniae Alba） in formulas for severe migratory arthralgia

and Dilong （Pheretima） in formulas for migratory arthral-gia.The top 30high-frequency herbs were tonic herbs

blood-quickening stasis-transforming herbs

exterior-resolving herbs

wind-damp-dispelling herbs

water-disinhibiting damp-transforming herbs

interior-warming herbs

wind-extinguishing net-work vessels freeing herbs and heat-clearing herbs.The frequently used herbs in formulas were tonic herbs for gout and severe migratory arthralgia and blood-quickening stasis-transforming herbs for migratory arthralgia.There were 11couples of herbs with support above 10%and confidence above 70%in three kinds of formulas.Conclusion The frequently used herbs are ton-ic herbs

blood-quickening stasis-transforming herbs

exterior-resolving herbs and wind-damp-dispelling herbs in the formulas for gout

severe migratory arthralgia and migratory arthralgia.The formulas for gout and severe migratory arthralgia pay more attention to supplementing vacuity and the formulas for migratory arthralgia pay more attention to quickening the blood and transforming stasis.The three kinds of formulas cross each with own characteristics.