[Tongue atrophy--a marker of malnutrition]

Atrophic glossitis is considered to be a marker for nutritional deficiency. Study of the tongue is part of the clinical examination. The importance of atrophic tongue has been unclear. As part of a bigger nutritional investigation in the elderly, we wanted to study the occurrence of atrophic tongue and relate this finding to other nutritional measures.

The presence of atrophic tongue was studied in 311 hospitalized, and in 106 randomly selected elderly at home.

Atrophic tongue was present in 100 of 311 hospitalized patients, and only in ten out of the 106 persons living in their own homes. Compared to those without, patients with atrophic tongue had significantly lower weight, body-mass index, triceps skinfold, arm muscle circumference and increased Katz index values for independence in daily activities. Patients with atrophic tongue had significantly reduced concentrations of serum cholesterol, ascorbic acid and calcidiol. Tongue atrophy had a sensitivity for serious malnutrition 0.30, for serious and moderate malnutrition together 0.70. The specificity for malnutrition was 0.76.

We conclude that atrophic tongue is common in elderly people and a marker for malnutrition and reduced muscle function.