• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.405-425
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between Stomach Qi Deficiency and gastric emptying as measured by abdominal ultrasonography in postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), a subgroup of functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: Ten patients who met the Rome III diagnostic criteria for PDS and ten healthy controls participated in this study Gastric emptying shown as the half-life of gastric volume ($T_{1/2}$) was measured by abdominal ultrasonography. The degree of Stomach Qi Deficiency was assessed using the scale for Stomach Qi Deficiency pattern (SSQD). In addition, functional dyspepsia-related quality of life (FD-QoL), Nepean dyspepsia index-Korean version (NDI-K), and visual analogue scale (VAS) of distention and fullness were conducted on all subjects. Results: The scores of SSQD, FD-QoL, NDI-K, and VAS of distention and fullness in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). $T_{1/2}$ was also higher in the patient group than in the control group. The SSQD score significantly correlated positively with $T_{1/2}$ in the patient group (r=0.640, p=0.046). However, there was no significant correlation between $T_{1/2}$ and other questionnaire scores in the patient group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the gastric emptying measured by abdominal ultrasonography could be a quantitative indicator to diagnose Stomach Qi Deficiency in FD patients, especially the PDS subtype.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.199-209
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the structural relationships between functional deficiency of Family and self-esteem, depression, suicidal inclination of adolescents. Methods: The data in this study came from the Korea Youth Panel Survey Data (N=3,449) for 2005~2007. To investigate the causal relationship between each variable presented in the research model, structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out by using AMOS 7.0. And all data were analyzed by using SPSS/WIN 12.0. Results: The main analytical results of this study were as follows; First, the family function made a positive impact on the self-esteem of adolescents. Second, the severe functional deficiency in family appeared to have a negative effect on the suicidal inclination and depression of adolescents. Third, the higher the adolescents' self-esteem, the lower depression and suicidal ideation. Fourth, the more severe the depression, the higher occurrence of suicidal inclination. Conclusion: In conclusion, functional deficiency in adolescents' family impacted negatively on self-esteem, and this contributed to increased depression and anxiety, and to suicidal inclination finally. These findings confirmed that the strength of family function, the closeness with parents, forming a stable relationship and strength of the emotional bond are very important factors to form self-esteem and reduce depression and suicidal inclination.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.135-142
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• 1992

Pi(Spleen, 脾) corresponds to central earth and is called as the basis of acquired essence as it has the function of transforting and transforming the nutrients, keeping the blood circulating, and nourishing the muscle and limbs. Recently many studies to research the nature and deficiency of Pi are actively carried out. Especially functional deficiency of Pi(脾虛證) which occupies 60 to 70% or 88% in miscell aneous disease is divided into deficiency of Qi(脾氣虛), Yang(脾陽許), and Yin(脾陰虛), and tought to be positive when three or more such symptoms as anorexia, abdominal distension, loose bowels, pale face and weakness are present. Investigating the resent studies on the nature of the deficiency of Pi shows that Pi has the function of digestive system and also should be considered as functional unit of mult system related immune, metabolic, hematic, muscular, rnddocrine and nervus system. Various experiments as ptyaline activity test and xylose absorption test are used as an indication to deficiency of Pi and would be helpful to understand its nature. As deficiency of Pi appears in many disease and has various manifestations, further studies to diagnose the symptom of Pi using various experiments and oriental medical diagnostic method should be ensued.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.308-322
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• 2015

Objectives: Whether there exists a distinct pathogenesis in subgroups of functional dyspepsia (FD), the classification of epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the number of fungiform papillae (FP) in the subgroups of FD and its correlation with the severity of dyspepsia symptoms and spleen qi deficiency. Methods: Patients with FD were enrolled from August to November 2014. All patients were evaluated using a questionnaire and divided into 2 groups according to the Rome III criteria for FD. The severity of dyspepsia symptoms and spleen qi deficiency were separately assessed by Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean (NDI-K) version and Spleen qi deficiency questionnaire (SQDQ). The number of FP was measured on the anterior part of tongue, within an area of 9 mm ², using a digital cam Results: The NDI-K score, SQDQ score, and number of FP in the EPS group were significantly greater than those in the PDS group. Also, the EPS group had more patients diagnosed with spleen qi deficiency. The number of FP showed a significant positive correlation with epigastric pain and burning. Furthermore, the number of FP was significantly associated with the score of some items in NDI-K and SQDQ, even though not with the total score. Conclusions: Thus, measurement of the number of FP could be a new evaluation indicator for allocation into FD subtypes and to investigate the severity of dyspepsia symptoms and spleen Qi deficiency reflecting visceral hypersensitivity.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.23-26
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• 2013

Objectives: Therapeutic effect of Yinyang Balancing Appliance of functional cerebrospinal therapy (FCST) for meridian and neurologic yinyang balance was observed in Iron Deficiency Anemia. Methods: One Iron Deficiency Anemia cases were managed with the Yinyang Balancing Appliance on temporomandibular joint (TMJ), combined with acupuncture. Clinical outcome measurement was based on subjective measures and clinical observations. Results: The patients showed positive changes even after the initial treatment and this effext maintained over the follow-up period. Conclusions: Although it is not clear the effect is a sustaining or temporary in its nature, a positive effect was observed and further clinical and biological research on FCST is expected.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.527-546
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• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between gastric emptying measured by ultrasonography and Korean medical instruments of diagnosis and assessment in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. Among the subgroups of FD, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is related to gastric motility disorder.Methods Ten patients with FD and particularly with PDS as well as 10 healthy controls were enrolled in the study from September to November 2015. The gastric emptying shown as the half-life of gastric volume (T_1/2) was measured by ultrasonography. The severities of spleen qi deficiency and dyspepsia symptoms were assessed by a spleen qi deficiency questionnaire (SQDQ) and the Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version (NDI-K), respectively. In addition, a food retention questionnaire (FRQ), a damum questionnaire (DQ), a cold and heat questionnaire (CHQ), a deficiency and excess questionnaire (DEQ), and a visual analogue scale (VAS) of distention and fullness were completed by every participant.Results In comparison with the control group, the FD group showed significantly higher scores for the SQDQ, NDI-K, FRQ, DQ, DEQ, and VAS of distention and fullness. T_1/2 was also significantly higher in the FD group than in the control group. There were significant correlations between T_1/2 and the SQDQ score. However, there were no significant correlations between T1/2 and other questionnaire scores except for one item of the NDI-K.Conclusions According to these findings, it was determined that measuring gastric emptying using ultrasonography could be a quantitative indicator to diagnose spleen qi deficiency in FD patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.437-443
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• 2021

Objective: This study explored the clinical usefulness of Nangan-jeon decoction to treat refractory functional dyspepsia. Methods: A 61-year-old female had been suffering from severe functional dyspepsia for about 40 years, but the dyspeptic symptoms rapidly improved after taking Nangan-jeon decoction. The clinical outcome was assessed by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the self-reporting method. Result: After there was no improvement from various herbal treatments in a department of a Korean college hospital, the patient moved to the author's clinic. She had been diagnosed with the pattern identification of "liver-kidney deficiency cold" and prescribed with Nangan-jeon decoction. This herbal drug rapidly improved her dyspeptic symptoms, from NRS 10 to NRS 2 (after 3 weeks) and NRS 1 (after 7 weeks). Conclusion: This case report is the first to present the potential of Nangan-jeon decoction to improve refractory functional dyspepsia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.369-389
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the correlation between Ryodoraku diagnosis and three pattern identification questionnaires, namely, Spleen Qi Deficiency, Stomach Qi Deficiency, and Food Retention in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients. Methods: Forty FD patients who met the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for FD participated in this study. The Ryodoraku test was conducted, and three pattern identification questionnaires were filled up by all patients. The average Ryodoraku score was called total average (TA), and the scores on the Ryodoraku points were measured. The degree of Spleen Qi Deficiency, Stomach Qi Deficiency, and Food Retention was assessed by Spleen Qi Deficiency questionnaire (SQDQ), Scale for Stomach Qi Deficiency pattern (SSQD), and Food Retention Questionnaire (FRQ). Results: The TA scores in the SQDQ patient group were lower than those in the SQDQ control group (p=0.091). The TA scores in the SSQD patient group were higher than those in the SSQD control group (p=0.651). The TA scores in the FRQ patient group were lower than those in the FRQ control group (p=0.851). The scores on the LH5, RH5, and RH6 points were significantly lower in the SQDQ patient group than in the SQDQ control group. However, no significant difference was found in the Ryodoraku scores among the other groups. Conclusions: The results suggest that the low TA and low Ryodoraku scores on the LH5, RH5, and RH6 points could be a quantitative indicator to diagnose Spleen Qi Deficiency in FD patients in a simpler manner. Larger studies on the Ryodoraku test in FD patients, the health control group, and other pattern identification groups are required.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.130-133
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• 2022

Several studies have reported a possible link between anti-aquaporin-4 antibody and vitamin B12 deficiency in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Bilaterally symmetric hyperintense signals on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the posterior columns, called the inverted V sign, are a characteristic feature of subacute combined degeneration associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. We report a patient with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD and an inverted V sign on MRI of the spinal cord and address the association between anti-aquaporin-4 antibody and functional vitamin B12 deficiency.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.401-412
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of Ryodoraku and association of Ryodoraku with gastric dysmotility in functional dyspepsia(FD). Methods : Subjects were 154 patients with FD and 18 patients with asthma. We calculated the average Ryodoraku score(RS, ${\mu}A$) and each variation from physiologic range of 12 Ryodoraku points, and investigated the incidence when left and right points were simultaneously below(bilateral deficiency) or above(bilateral excess) physiologic range. Postprandial regularity of normal slow waves, power ratio, and postprandial % of bowel sound were obtained by electrogastrography and enterotachography, and were used as gastric dysmotility index. Results : 1. Bilateral excess of H4, H5, F1, and F4 and bilateral deficiency of H4, H5, and H6 were characteristic in FD compared with asthma patients. 2. Incidence of gastric dysmotility in bilateral deficiency of H4, H5, and H6 was 100%, and was higher than in total FD patients(88.3%). 3. There was a positive correlation between the variation of H6 and % postprandial bowel sound. 4. Deficient tendency of H4, H5, and H6 was more evident when RS was above $40{\mu}A$ in FD. Conclusions : These findings suggest that gastric dysmotility in FD can be diagnosed when a pattern of H4, H5, H6 bilateral deficiency and F1, F4 bilateral excess is shown at the same time. We think this phenomenon is related to low activity of the vagus nerve rather than meridian pathway with result based on positive correlation between variation of H6 and postprandial % of bowel sound.