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Geographic tongue, also called benign migratory glossitis, is a common and superficial benign inflammatory disorder that affects the tongue epithelium. The majority of geographic tongue lesions typically manifest as irregular central erythematous patches. These lesions, which are caused by the loss of filiform papillae, are defined by an elevated whitish bandlike border that can change location, size, and pattern over a period of time. Histological observations of the oral mucosa affected by geographic tongue revealed nonspecific inflammation. Some reports described cases of migratory stomatitis, wherein lesions simultaneously manifested on the extra lingual oral mucosa. This condition is also called ectopic geographic tongue, which is clinically and histologically similar to the type normally confined to the tongue. In most cases, patients are asymptomatic and do not require treatment. The condition may spontaneously exhibit periods of remission and exacerbation with good prognosis. The specific etiology of geographic tongue remains unknown. Geographic tongue is age-related and is prevalent among young individuals. Various etiological factors that have been suggested in literature include immunological factors, genetic factors, atopic or allergic tendency, emotional stress, tobacco consumption, hormonal disturbances, and zinc deficiency. Geographic tongue may coexist with other disorders, such as fissured tongue, psoriasis, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal diseases, burning mouth syndrome, and Down syndrome. Experts currently disagree on whether geographic tongue is an oral manifestation of psoriasis. Moreover, some scholars suggest that geographic tongue is a prestage of fissured tongue. The objective of this review is to summarize current research on risk factors of geographic tongue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To analyze the causes of atrophic glossitis (AG) and to explore the relationship between AG and serum cobalamin, folate levels. METHODS: A total of 213 patients with AG treated from Jan.1979 to Jun. 2010 were analyzed for the causes of AG. Serum cobalamin, folate levels and complete blood count were tested in newly enrolled AG patients from Sep. 2010 to Aug. 2011. All data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software package for Student's t test. RESULTS: There were 97 AG patients (45.4%) suffering from megaloblastic anemia (MA)/ macrocytosis. Among the 72 newly enrolled AG patients, fifty had cobalamin deficiency. Meanwhile, serum folate levels were increased in cobalamin deficiency group. CONCLUSIONS: Cobalamin deficiency is the common cause both of MA/macrocytosis and AG, also may be the main cause of AG. Furthermore, AG may be the early clinical manifestation of cobalamin deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the relationship between atrophic glossitis and anemia, anemia types and other related factors(oral candida infection, xerostomia) in 124 consecutive cases., Methods: One hundred and twenty-four cases with atrophic glossitis and 53 healthy controls were collected from Qingdao local population. The main indexes including general status, oral examination findings, hemoglobin (Hb), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), vitamin B12, ferritin, folic acid, anemia and anemia type, xerostomia and candida infection were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software package for Student's t test., Results: Among 124 cases of glossitis group, 48.39% were found with anemia, 41.94% with xerostomia, 79.03% with Candida infection, 29.03% with Vitamin B12 deficiency, 22.58% with ferritin deficiency, 11.29% with folic acid deficiency. The contents of hemoglobin, ferritin and vitamin B12 in glossitis group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05), and the number of glossitis patients with anemia, xerostomia and candida infection were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in folic acid content between the two groups(P<0.05)., Conclusions: Occurrence of atrophic glossitis is closely related to anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, ferritin deficiency, xerostomia, oral candida infection. There is no correlation with folic acid deficiency. Patients with atrophic glossitis accompanied by anemia have a higher proportion of macrocytic anemia.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between epidermal growth factor (EFG) and atrophic glossitis (AG) in patients with Sjoigren's syndromes (SS) and explore its pathogenesis., Methods: Ninety-three patients with SS (60 with AG and 33 without AG) and 20 normal were selected. The concentrations of EGF in saliva were analyzed by ELISA. The expressions of EGF receptor (EGFR) in the epithelial cells of the tongue were assayed by immunohistochemistry. The differences among each group were analyzed with SPSS19.0 software package., Results: The saliva EGF concentrations in SS was lower than that in normal control group(P<0.0001),and EGF concentrations in SS with AG was significantly lower than that in SS without AG (P=0.024). EGF levels in saliva gradually decreased in the mild, moderate and severe atrophic glossitis groups, and there were significant differences among each group(P<0.05). EGFR in the epithelial cells of tongue was lower in SS with moderate and severe AG than in the control group(P=0.009, P=0.037), and there was a significant correlation between EGF and the degree of AG (r=-0.673, P<0.01)., Conclusions: Saliva EGF concentrations decrease significantly in patients with SS and it is closely related to the morbidity of atrophic glossitis.

Purpose: To analyze the causes of atrophic glossitis(AG) and to explore the relationship between AG and serum cobalamin, folate levels., Methods: A total of 213 patients with AG treated from Jan.1979 to Jun. 2010 were analyzed for the causes of AG. Serum cobalamin, folate levels and complete blood count were tested in newly enrolled AG patients from Sep. 2010 to Aug. 2011. All data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software package for Student's t test., Results: There were 97 AG patients (45.4%) suffering from megaloblastic anemia (MA)/ macrocytosis. Among the 72 newly enrolled AG patients, fifty had cobalamin deficiency. Meanwhile, serum folate levels were increased in cobalamin deficiency group., Conclusions: Cobalamin deficiency is the common cause both of MA/macrocytosis and AG, also may be the main cause of AG. Furthermore, AG may be the early clinical manifestation of cobalamin deficiency.

Objective: To examine the flora samples from the tongue dorsum of the atrophic glossitis group and to discuss the relationship so as to provide a thinking pattern for therapy and a clue for deeper research., Methods: To collect personal information on 60 cases of atrophic glossitis and 40 cases of volunteers as control. The main items include general status, oral examination, salivary flow rate, pH value and bacteria test. All data were analyzed statistically., Results: 1) Among the 60 cases, 75.00% were female patients. Glosso-pain, dry mouth and taste loss were the most common symptoms. 2) In regard to the pathogenic factors, the systematic diseases were often visible, i.e. gastritis, coronary disease and anemia. 3) Oral hygiene of the patients was worse than that of the control group, the saliva flow rate and pH value were lower than that of the control. 4)The statistic analysis showed that the quantity of some bacteria of tongue dorsum and their detectable rate were different between the glossitis group and the control one, between the patients with atrophic glossitis who also suffered from different systematic diseases and the control group, and between the complete type and the partial type. These bacteria included Streptococcus sanguis, Stomatococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces, etc., Conclusion: Atrophic glossitis is the consequence co-affected by host, circumstances of oral cavity and bacteria. The tangible relationship between atrophic glossitis and micro-ecological changes on glossal dorsum has not been confirmed yet, however, flora change on dorsum may have relations with occurrence, and development of the disease.