Glossodynia And Its Associated Risk Factors In Patients with Geographic And/Or Fissured Tongue at Hawler Medical University: A Retro-Prospective Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15218/edj.2025.6Keywords:
Burning mouth syndrome, Fissured tongue, Glossodynia, Geographic tongue, Orofacial painAbstract
Background: Glossodynia is characterized by a painful sensation in the tongue, often accompanied by sleep disturbances, exhaustion, and psychological issues, including anxiety and depression. Glossodynia manifests with a typical oral symptom, such as a burning mouth sensation. Hence, it is important for oral healthcare practitioners to possess knowledge about this clinical condition.
Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of tongue pain and burning sensation (glossodynia) in patients with geographic and/or fissured tongue. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the influence of age and gender as risk fac- tors in patients with glossodynia. Furthermore, the study investigated the correlation between geographic tongue and fissured tongue with glossodynia.
Patient and method: An investigation using retrospective-prospective cross-sectional design was carried out at the Oral Diagnosis Department of the College of Dentistry/Hawler Medical University. Two hundreds and ninety-five patients who sought medical attention at this Department's clinic between September 4, 2022, and May 1, 2024 were included in the research. The patients underwent clinical diagnosis and digital imaging were undertaken to evaluate fissure tongue and geographic tongue.
Results: A total of 295 individuals, with an average age of 36.81 years, were assessed. Among them, 156 (52.9%) were men and 139 (47.1%) were females categorized into age groups: 15-30, 31-45, 46-60, and >60 years in age. Among the 295 patients analyzed in this study, 216 cases (73.2%) had fissured tongue, 68 cases (23.1%) had geographic tongue, and 11 cases (3.7%) had both geographic tongue and fissure tongue as characteristics. Only 17 cases, representing a mere 5.8% of the overall number, have received a diagnosis of glossodynia. Among the 156 male patients, a mere 5 individuals (1.7%) had glossodynia. Within the group of 139 female patients, 12 cases (4.1%) had glossodynia.
CONCLUSION: The study suggests that glossodynia is often seen in female patients and serves as a significant risk factor in the development and worsening of symptoms. Glossodynia continues to be a consequential medical disorder that often requires a substantial interdisciplinary approach in the psychology of the patient and the oral health care system.
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