Anxiety and genetic polymorphisms in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and serotonin transportation gene (5HTT) are associated with benign migratory glossitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case-control study was to investigate whether benign migratory glossitis (BMG) is associated with catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and serotonin transportation gene (5HTT) polymorphisms and anxiety. STUDY DESIGN: The study comprised 43 patients with BMG and 114 patients without a history of BMG. We used the Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) rating scale to assess each individual's anxiety. We collected DNA from buccal cells and analyzed polymorphisms of COMT and 5HTT. We conducted statistical evaluations by using SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and STATA (StataCorp, College Station, TX). Alpha value was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Overall anxiety level was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (P < .001). In adjusted multiple logistic regression, the COMT markers were not associated with BMG. Individuals with the CC genotype, in rs3813034 of 5HTT, presented an odds ratio (OR) of 2.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-7.82; P = .042). Individuals with the TT genotype, in the rs1042173 of 5HTT, presented an OR of 3.77 (95% CI 1.32-10.74; P = .013). For each incremental increase in the anxiety score, there was an 8% increase in the probability of BMG (ORa=1.08; 95% CI 1.03-1.14; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety increases the risk of BMG. Moreover, the occurrence of BMG was associated with polymorphisms in the 5HTT gene.

Host and clinical aspects in patients with benign migratory glossitis.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the association of clinical, cytological and genetic characteristics with benign migratory glossitis (BMG). STUDY DESIGN: Sample consisted of 175 patients, 44 with BMG and 131 control patients. Clinical examination and DMFT index were assessed. Cytological evaluation determined cell morphology and morphometry. Genetic evaluation was performed by analysing IL6 polymorphisms by real-time PCR. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed (p<0.05). RESULTS: There was a higher level of anxiety, DMFT score and a prevalence of fissured tongue in BMG group. A high mean nuclear/cytoplasmic area ratio was observed in patients with BMG. There was predominance of Papanicolaou class II I BMG group. IL6 allele G rs2069843 polymorphism was associated with BMG in the dominant model. In multivariate analysis, DMFT and anxiety scale remained associated with BMG.

Immunologic and psychologic parameters associated with geographic tongue.

OBJECTIVE: Several conditions have been associated with geographic tongue (GT). However, there is no consensus on the etiology of GT. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether immunologic and psychologic parameters are associated with diagnosis of GT. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was performed on 170 participants (85 with GT, 85 controls). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were measured. Anxiety level was measured using psychologic and physiologic testing instruments. An independent t test and a Pearson correlation analysis were performed with SPSS (α = .05). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the salivary concentrations of TNF-α (P = .008) and IL-6 (P = .001). The concentration of salivary cortisol and state and trait anxiety levels in the GT group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Immunologic and psychologic parameters appear associated with GT and may constitute risk factors of this condition.

Taste evaluation in adolescents and pediatric patients with benign migratory glossitis.

OBJECTIVE: Benign migratory glossitis (BMG) is a disease that affects the tongue and is considered an inflammatory disorder well recognized. It is characterized by the appearance of erosive areas on the dorsum and lateral border of the tongue that can be isolated or multiple. The aim of this study was to assess whether the perception of taste to the four basic tastes is altered due to the presence of BMG. METHODS: Forty individuals of both sexes with a mean age of 12.1 years were divided into two groups (20 BMG patients and 20 healthy controls) and had their taste function assessed in relation to four basic tastes: bitter, sour, sweet, and salty. RESULTS: All participants in the case group exhibited lesions over the dorsum, edges and tip of the tongue with a possible extension to the surface below. No statistic difference was observed between BMG patients and controls for the taste scores (Mann-Whitney U test: P=0.0955). The percentage of correctly identified taste strips for the highest concentrations was 100% for all tastes. For the lowest concentrations it was 85% for sweet, 50% for sour, 95% for salty, and 95% for bitter. Three patients with BMG and three control subjects showed hypogeusia. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that BMG is not able to change the perception of taste for salty, sweet, sour and bitter.

Psychiatric disorders in orofacial dysaesthesia.

70 patients with orofacial dysaesthesia were clinically examined at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Helsinki. All the patients were referred for a psychiatric consultation. Later 16 refused to attend. 12 of the 54 patients (22.2%) who took part in the psychiatric interview were psychotic, 27 patients (50.0%) had a moderate mental disorder and 11 patients (20.4%) a mild psychiatric disorder. 4 of the patients had no psychic diagnosis (psychically healthy). The control group, which comprised 44 patients referred to the Department for surgical extraction of an impacted tooth, filled in the Cornell Medical Index questionnaire. 3 of the controls (6.8%) had a severe mental disturbance, 5 (11.4%) a moderate psychic disorder and 4 (9.1%) a mild psychiatric disorder, whereas 32 patients (72.7%) were mentally healthy. The results show that there is a psychic background in most patients with chronic orofacial pain who have no clinical findings corresponding to the sensation of somatic pain.