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A Case Report of Korean Medicine Treatment for Glossodynia and Xerostomia in a Patient with Sjogren’s Syndrome

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: This case study reports the effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome presenting with glossodynia and xerostomia.Methods: A 67-year-old female patient diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome underwent five weeks of Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. Symptoms were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the EULAR Sjogren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). Objective measures included salivary flow rate and oral mucosal moisture.Results: NRS scores for tongue pain decreased from 6 to 0 at the tongue body and from 6 to 2 at the apex, while those for oral dryness remained at 6. ESSPRI and XI scores declined from 8.67 to 5.67 and 36 to 33, respectively. Stimulated salivary flow rate increased from 0 to 0.36 mL/min, and buccal/lingual mucosa increased from 30.3/29.7 to 35.9/35.5.Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment can effectively manage glossodynia and xerostomia in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

Source: The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine

DOI: 10.22246/jikm.2025.46.4.1016