• Anxiety and mood
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2006

Objectives : Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) can be divided into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related NCCP and non-GERD related NCCP. Our study was designed to examine the differences in clinical characteristics and psychological mood states between the two clinical syndromes. Methods : After some cardiologic evaluations such as treadmill exercise, coronary angiography, and echocardiography, 27 patients with NCCP were enrolled in this study. They were divided into patients with GERD related NCCP (12 patients) and those with non-GERD related NCCP (15 patients) using the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and the ambulatory 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring. Clinical characteristics such as typical reflux symptoms and psychological mood states were measured. Patients who showed scores more than 10 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were defined as depressed or anxious group. Anxiety sensitivity Index (ASI) was also measured in all patients. All parameters were compared between patients with GERD related NCCP and those with non-GERD related NCCP. Results : The two groups showed a difference in typical reflux symptoms. Patients with non-GERD related NCCP had higher scores on the BDI, BAI and ASI than those with GERD related NCCP. Among all NCCP patients, 14 patients (51.9%) were suggested to have possible depression or anxiety disorders. Conclusion : The non-GERD related NCCP was shown to be associated with psychological mood states such as anxiety and depression. Thus, we suggest that routine measurement of psychological mood states should be necessary in the evaluation and treatment of NCCP.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.926-934
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• 2005

It is well known that NERD(Non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a well known esophageal disease. Symptoms of NERD may be divided into two classes. Important symptoms are acid regurgitation and heartburn. Secondary symptoms are noncardiac chest pain, dysphagia, chronic coughing, hoarseness, sore throat, globus, halitosis, epigastric pain or discomfort and abdominal pain or discomfort related to bowel movement. The relationship between NERD and Tan-San(呑酸) is complex. But the most common symptoms of NERD are acid regurgitation and heartburn. These symptoms arc similar to Tan-San and can be treated with oriental medical herb and acupuncture. Ljintang-Gamibang(二陳湯加味方) mentioned in the Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑) is one of these oriental medical herbs. Therefore, this comparative study between first medical examination and end of medical treatment with Ljintang-Gamibang and acupuncture was made. The clinical progress of NERD was investigated. After treatment, all seven patients showed improvement in all symptoms associated with NERD, including general condition. The results of this study suggest that Ljintang-Gamibang and acupuncture are an effective treatment for NERD and progressive research to develop a practical treatment of NERD are needed.