Observational Study of Glossodynia

Shim, So-ra; Kim, Min-kyung; Lee, Ji-hyun; Lu, Hsu-yuan; Cho, Seung-yeon; Park, Seong-uk; Park, Jung-mi; Bae, Hyung-sup; Ko, Chang-nam

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine > Volume 33(4); 2012 > Article

Original Article

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine 2012;33(4): 476-484.

설통에 대한 관찰연구

심소라, 김민경, 이지현, 여서원, 조승연, 박성욱, 박정미, 배형섭, 고창남

경희대학교 한의과대학 강동경희대학교병원 중풍뇌질환센터 한방내과

Observational Study of Glossodynia

So-ra Shim, Min-kyung Kim, Ji-hyun Lee, Hsu-yuan Lu, Seung-yeon Cho, Seong-uk Park, Jung-mi Park, Hyung-sup Bae, Chang-nam Ko

Dept. of Korean Internal Medicine, Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, Kyung-Hee University Hospital at Gang-Dong, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee University

Correspondence

Chang-nam Ko ,Tel: 02-440-6215, Fax: 02-440-7171, Email: kcn202@khu.ac.kr

Published online: December 30, 2012.

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to report the clinical characteristics of glossodynia patients and effects of traditional Korean treatment on glossodynia and to gather data in order to carry out future study.

Methods :
We surveyed 40 glossodynia patients visiting the Department of Korean Internal Medicine of Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong and analyzed their glossodynia questionnaires, examination results, and progression of symptoms.

Results:
In Glossodynia patients the average age was 62.4 years old. Glossodynia was more prevalent in females than males (5.67:1). Red tongue color, white fur, and fissured tongue were observed most often. The average glossodynia duration was 36.1 months and the average glossodynia degree was VAS 5.6. The most commonly appearing symptom was burning sense, and dryness of tongue. In Korean medicine diagnosis, Yin, deficiency, Tae-eum was most commonly diagnosed. In herbal medicine, Gamichungsim-tang was the most frequently prescribed. In laboratory tests, zinc deficiency was the most common result. In heart rate variability (HRV), average SDNN was 34.03 and average LF/HF ratio was 2.11. Of 40 patients, 23 completed treatment and their pain was relieved from average VAS 5.52 to VAS 3.63. Pre-and post-treatment results showed a significant difference. The average duration of treatment was 34.91 days.

Conclusions:
The results of this study suggest that Korean medical approach and treatment for glossodynia could be effective. Further study should be conducted for more valuable information.

Key words: glossodynia, burning mouth syndrome