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Diabetic neuropathy masquerading as glossodynia
J Carrington1, L Getter, R S Brown
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Howard University College of Dentistry, Washington, USA.
Journal of the American Dental Association (1939)
|January 25, 2002
Summary
Diabetic neuropathy (DN) can cause oral burning symptoms. Managing type 2 diabetes (DM) effectively resolved a patient's burning mouth syndrome, highlighting the link between systemic health and oral conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Oral Medicine
Background:
- Diabetic neuropathy (DN) affects ~50% of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
- Oral burning and glossodynia can manifest secondary to DN.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old woman presented with oral burning and a history of type 2 DM.
- No clinical signs of oral pathology were observed.
- Blood studies revealed poor glycemic control.
Findings:
- The patient's glossodynia symptoms resolved after her diabetes was effectively managed.
- This case suggests a direct correlation between uncontrolled DM and oral symptomatology.
Implications:
- Consider DN in the differential diagnosis for glossodynia, especially when clinical signs are absent.
- Dentists play a crucial role in identifying systemic diseases through oral symptoms.
- Collaborative care between dentists and physicians is vital for managing patients with uncontrolled DM and oral symptoms.