DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Objective evaluation of the color of tongue substance using L*a*b* color coordinates

  • Park, Young-Jae (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Se-Myung University) ;
  • Park, Young-Bae (Department of Biofunctional Medicine and Diagnosis, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
  • Published : 2006.06.30

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze whether quantitative evaluation of the color of the tongue substance using $L^*a^*b^*$ color coordinates system could minimize the problems arising from the different illuminating conditions or not. In controlled 4 different illuminating conditions (by natural light, flashlight, f-number, shutter speed),12 healthy subjects were photographed of their tongue substance through a digital camera (C-2100uz, Olympus Co.), both on the top surface and on the bottom surface of the tongue substance by two examiners, twice at 3 day intervals. Clinician evaluation was also performed grading the redness of the tongue substance in the form of 5-points scale by 6 clinicians. As a result, there was no significant difference in color differences between the color of the tongue substance and the reference red card in the 4 different illuminating conditions. Intra-rater reliability was satisfied and even though limitedly, inter-rater reliability was satisfied. Color differences were significantly correlated with the results by the clinicians, although they were applicable limitedly to specific illuminating conditions. Our results indicate that the application of the color differences in tongue diagnosis could not only evaluate the color information quantitatively, but also minimize the problems arising from the different illuminating conditions and that there was the significant difference in the visual evaluation of the red color of the tongue substance, both between the clinicians and between the illuminating conditions.

Keywords

References

  1. Bengel WM. (2003) Digital photography and the assessment of therapeutic results after bleaching procedures. J. Esthet. Restor. Dent. 15, 21-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1708-8240.2003.tb00315.x
  2. Chuang-Chien Chiu. (2000) A Novel Approach Based on Computerized Image Analysis for Traditional Chinese Medical Diagnosis of the Tongue. Comput. Methods Programs Biomed. 61, 77-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2607(99)00031-0
  3. Cui Min-gui, Xu Bao-yu, Huang Shi-jing, Weng Wei-liang. (2001) Quantitative Study on Tongue Diagnosis in Stroke Patients. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 21, 670-673.
  4. David G. Hanson, Jack Jiang, Wan Chi. (1998) Quantitative Color Analysis of Laryngeal Erythema in Chronic Posterior Laryngitis. J. Voice 12, 78-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0892-1997(98)80077-5
  5. Dong Kyun Rah, Soo Chan Kim, Kwang Hoon Lee, Beyoung Yun Park, Deok Won Kim. (2001) Objective Evaluation of Treatment Effects on Portwine Stains Using $L^{\star}a^{\star}b^{\star}$ Color Coordinates. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 108, 842-847. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006534-200109150-00005
  6. Han Xin-min, Yu Yong-min, Sun Tian-ting, Chen Zheng-quan, Lin Min-jia, Wu Xie-wei, Mao Hui-ming, Zhang Fang. (1993) Quantitative Analysis of 200 Human Tongue Pictures. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 13, 110-111.
  7. Ikeda T, Nakanishi A, Yamamoto T, Sano H. (2003) Color differences and color changes in Vita Shade tooth-colored restorative materials. Am. J. Dent. 16, 381-384.
  8. Isao Otaka, Kenjiro Kumagai, Yoko Inagaki, Masaru Shimoyama, Katsuyuki Saegusa, Takeshi Hara. (2002) Simple and Inexpensive Software Designed for the Evaluation of Color. Am. J. Ophthalmol. 133, 140-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9394(01)01213-2
  9. Zhang Bo-li, Xu Zong-pei, Liu Hua-yi, Zhang Jin-ying, Gao Xiu-mei, Mao Bing-xie. (1992) Chromometric Study of Tongue Picture. TianJin J. Traditional Chinese Med. 4, 38-40.