The association between atrophic glossitis and protein-calorie malnutrition in old age.

AIM: To examine the relationship between atrophic glossitis (absence of papillae in more than 50% of the tongue) and nutritional status.

DESIGN

A randomized population survey.

SETTING

The medical department of Aker University Hospital, and people living at home.

PARTICIPANTS

310 old people recently admitted to hospital and 106 randomly selected elderly people at home.

MEASURES: The presence of atrophic glossitis and nutritional indices.

RESULTS

Atrophic glossitis occurred in 13.2% of men and 5.6% of women at home and in 26.6% of men and 37% of women in hospital. The atrophic glossitis was related to reduced weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, arm-muscle circumference, muscular strength, activities of daily living and serum concentrations of cholesterol, ascorbic acid, cholecalcidiol and B12, but not to levels of zinc or folate. In a multiple logistic regression model, atrophic glossitis was related only to cholesterol (P = 0.032), muscular strength (P = 0.018) and activities of daily living (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Atrophic glossitis is common in elderly people and is a marker for malnutrition and reduced muscle function.