• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.13-24
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• 2013

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the availability of diagnosis of Yin-deficiency in the elderly with xerostomia and factors influencing subjective oral dryness. Methods: We surveyed 50 patients recruited by the clinical trial, 'Efficacy of Yukmijihwang-tang on Xerostomia in the Elderly: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Two-center Trial'. The subjects were assessed on their subjective oral dryness using the Dry Mouth Symptom Questionnaire (DMSQ). Their salivary functions were measured by Unstimulated Salivary Flow Rate (USFR) measurements. In addition, the subjects were evaluated on their Qi-stagnation and Yin-deficiency conditions using the Qi-stagnation questionnaire and Yin-deficiency questionnaire. Results: There were statistically significant correlations between three variables (USFR, DMSQ score and Qi-stagnation score) and Yin-deficiency score. In the multiple regression analysis, the regression model was statistically significant (F = 10.273, p < .001). The factor most strongly influencing the subjective oral dryness was USFR (${\beta}$ = -0.386). Yin-deficiency had the next strongest impact on the subjective oral dryness (${\beta}$ = 0.371). Qi-stagnation affected the subjective oral dryness weakly (${\beta}$ = 0.075). In the simple regression analysis, Yin-deficiency had a statistically significant effect on each of six subscales of DMSQ (p < .01). Among the six subscales, DMSQ-1 ('Oral dryness at night or on awakening') was the most strongly influenced by Yin-deficiency. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the diagnosis of Yin-deficiency in the elderly with xerostomia was available and Yin-deficiency was an important factor influencing the subjective oral dryness. Therefore, the consideration of Yin-deficiency is significant for diagnosis and treatment in the elderly with xerostomia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.483-497
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• 2014

Objectives: The aims of study were developing cut-off value of Yin-deficiency questionnaire (YDQ) for diagnosis of Yin-deficiency (YD) and compare diagnostic ability between YDQ and Yin-deficiency scale score (YDS) in xerostomia patients. Methods: We recruited 58 xerostomia patients. They were diagnosed YD or non-YD by 3 Korean medicine doctors (KMD). We assessed YD using YDQ and YDS. We evaluated xerostomia using VAS, Dry Mouth Symptom Questionnaire (DMSQ), Salivary Flow Rate (SFR), oral moisture on buccal mucosa and tongue surface (OMB and OMT). We surveyed tongue coatings using Winkel Tongue Coating Index (WTCI). Results: We diagnosed 23 patients YD and 35 patients non-YD. There were no significant differences of age, sex and body mass index between the YD and non-YD groups. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of YDQ was defined as 304. Sensitivity, specificity and Youden index of YDQ were 86.96%, 71.43% and 1.5839 respectively. Using Cohen's coefficient of agreement, we found that degree of agreement between KMD and YDQ diagnosis was moderate (${\kappa}$=0.524, p<0.001). Using Pearson's correlation analysis, we found concurrent validity of YDQ and YDS were significant correlated. Using area under curve value, we found diagnostic ability between YDQ and YDS were not significantly different (p=0.505), but there were more strong correlations between DMSQ-symptoms and YDQ (r=0.731, p<0.001) than correlations between DMSQ-symptoms and YDS (r=0.418, p<0.01). Conclusions: The cut-off value of YDQ can diagnose YD in xerostomia and diagnostic ability of YDQ in xerostomia is better than YDS.