• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate correlation of the phlegm-retained fluid, namely Damum(痰飮) and dark circles under eyes. Methods: 2 males and 11 females aged 26-60 years were participated in this study. They were asked the intensity of 29 symptoms related with Damum(痰飮) including dark circle with the questionnaire published by the Journal of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medical Diagnostics. Three skin researchers including OMD graded the dark circles by inspection. We took the pictures around eyes by Facial Stage (Moritex, Japan) and analyzed the skin color by Image-Pro Plus (Media Cybernetics, USA). Results: There was statistically significant correlation between Damum(痰飮) and dark circles measured by self, inspectors and image analysis. Conclusions: In the Oriental Medicine, It is reported that the shadows under eyes are the sign of the retention of fluid, Damum(痰飮). In our study, that shadows, namely dark circles, has correlation with the symptoms of Damum(痰飮). Especially, the correlation between inspected grade and image analysis was very high. According to the above results, it is proved that dark circles under eyes are important diagnostic sign of Damum(痰飮).