Overview
Myasthenia gravis primarily results from neuromuscular junction dysfunction and damage, leading to chronic muscle weakness. While combined traditional and Western medicine treatments are now common, TCM tongue diagnosis remains a simple and practical clinical method. However, results can vary among different practitioners. Therefore, you are interested in using scientific methods to compare TCM tongue diagnosis images between patients with myasthenia gravis and healthy individuals to aid in diagnosis.
Description
In Taiwan, the prevalence of severe myasthenia gravis is approximately 14 per 100,000 people, with an incidence rate of about 2 per 100,000 people.
Currently, combined traditional and Western medicine treatments are very popular. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tongue diagnosis is a simple and practical clinical method, focusing on aspects such as the tongue body, coating, color, and sublingual veins. Clinical evaluation often relies on the experience and knowledge of TCM practitioners, which can be influenced by subjective factors like diagnostic skills. As a result, findings may vary depending on the observer.
To improve diagnostic accuracy, using scientific methods to support TCM tongue diagnosis can provide more precise information for practitioners and enhance the clinical application value of tongue diagnosis in TCM.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed with myasthenia gravis by a physician.
- Able to understand and communicate in Mandarin and Taiwanese.
- Cognitively alert and without a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders.
- Willing to undergo tongue imaging and instrument measurements.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with severe organ diseases.
- Hearing loss patients who are unable to complete the questionnaire.
- Patients with aphasia who are unable to complete the questionnaire.
- Have eaten food or drinks that can easily contaminate tongue coating within 2 hours.