Evaluation of the fungiform papillae number in Behçet's disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number, area, circumference, and circularity of lingual fungiform papillae and taste sensitivity in Behçet's disease (BD) and the correlation with the disease.

Eighty-six Behçet's patients and 78 healthy control subjects were examined. After taking digital photographs from the tongue, the fungiform papillae evaluations were performed for the right and left tongue tip sites separately. Taste sense was evaluated with an electrogustometer (EG) from the same sites.

The ANOVA test was used to evaluate the fungiform papillae number difference between BD and control groups, and the difference was statistically significant. The fungiform papillae number was significantly reduced in BD, 37.93% at the left site and 40.13% at the right site compared to controls. There was no significant difference in papillae area, circumference, circularity, and EG measurements between BD and control group.

According to these findings, it is conceivable that the reduction of the fungiform papillae number could be a sign of BD.

BD has different clinical features that are used for the diagnosis. This study provided a new possible clinical feature. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the usability of this new clinical feature for the diagnosis of BD.