[Atrophic glossitis is attributed to cobalamin deficiency].

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.