Clinical Features of Electrogastrogram in Dyspeptic Patients with Stomach Qi Deficiency

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the cutaneous electrogastrogram (EGG) and other clinical characteristics of dyspeptic patients who have been diagnosed with Stomach Qi Deficiency (SQD) using the Scale for Stomach Qi Deficiency (SSQD). Methods: This study reviewed the clinical records of 38 patients with dyspepsia who were evaluated with SSQD and EGG at the Department of Digestive Diseases of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital in Seoul, Korea from November 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020. We evaluated the EGG and other clinical characteristics of the SQD patients to determine if there was an association between the SSQD scores and the EGG. Results: In terms of the EGG, the SQD patients showed no significant increase in the percentage of normal slow wave after a meal and a slightly decreased power ratio at Channel 1 and Channel 2. We also found an association between the SSQD scores and the EGG parameters at Channel 1 and Channel 3. The average Ryodoraku score of the patients was 33.00±14.90 (μA). In the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) test, the average Total Power (TP) and Low Frequency/High Frequency (LF/HF)) ratio was 1356.60±1336.41(ms2) and 1.68±2.25, respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that clinicians can use Electrogastrography to enhance accuracy when diagnosing the SQD pattern. Keywords: dyspepsia, scale for stomach Qi deficiency, electrogastrography, clinical characteristics