Fungiform Papillae and its Correlation with Rome III Classification and Spleen Qi
Deficiency in Functional Dyspepsia

Choi, Jane; Kim, Jin-sung

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine > Volume 36(3); 2015 > Article

Article

The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine 2015;36(3): 308-322.

기능성 소화불량증 환자에서 로마기준 Ⅲ 아형분류 및 脾氣虛證과 심상유두 수의 상관성 분석

최제인, 김진성

경희대학교 한의과대학 비계내과학교실

Fungiform Papillae and its Correlation with Rome III Classification and Spleen Qi Deficiency in Functional Dyspepsia

Jane Choi, Jin-sung Kim

Dept. of Gastroenterology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung-Hee University

Correspondence

Jin-sung Kim ,Tel: 02-958-8895, Fax: 02-958-9136, Email: oridoc@khu.ac.kr

Received: August 24, 2015, Accepted: September 25, 2015, Published online: September 30, 2015.

ABSTRACT

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 mm2, using a digital camera.

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.

Key words: functional dyspepsia, Rome Ⅲ criteria, fungiform papillae, spleen qi deficiency, visceral hypersensitivity