Age and Ageing, Vol 29, 47-50, Copyright © 2000 by British Geriatrics Society
T Bohmer and M Mowe
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.
ARTICLES
The association between atrophic glossitis and protein-calorie malnutrition in old age
Department of Medicine, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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