title: Papillary atrophy of the tongue and nutritional status of hospitalized alcoholics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrophy of the papillae, mucosa, and dorsum of the tongue are considered classical signs of nutritional deficiencies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the nutritional status of hospitalized alcoholics with or without papillary atrophy of the tongue.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed with 21 hospitalized alcoholics divided into Atrophic Glossitis Group (n=13) and Normal Tongue Group (n=8). Healthy, non-alcoholic volunteers composed the Control Group (n=8). Anthropometry and bioelectric impedance were performed, and serum vitamins A, E, and B12 were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistical differences in relation to age (46.7 ± 8.7 vs. 46.8 ± 15.8 years) or gender (92.3% vs. 87.5% male), respectively. Control Group volunteers were also paired in relation to age (47.5 ± 3.1 years) and male predominance (62.5%). In relation to hospitalized alcoholics without atrophic lesions of the tongue and Control Group, patients with papillary atrophy showed lower BMI (18.6 ± 2,5 vs 23.8 ± 3.5 vs 26.7 ± 3,6 kg/m(2)) and body fat content 7.6 ± 3.5 vs 13.3 ± 6.5 vs 19.5 ± 4,9 kg). When compared with the Control Group, alcoholic patients with or without papillary atrophy of the tongue showed lower values of red blood cells (10.8 ± 2.2 vs 11.8 ± 2.2 vs 14.5 ± 1,6g/dL) and albumin (3.6 ± 0.9 vs 3.6 ± 0.8 vs 4.4 ± 0.2g/dL). The seric levels of vitamins A, E, and B12 were similar amongst the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hospitalized alcoholics with papillary atrophy of the tongue had lower BMI and fat body stores than controls, without associated hypovitaminosis.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. sfreire@fmrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Selma Freire de Carvalho da
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.forename: Daniel Angelo de
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Camila Bitu Moreno
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vannucchi
authors.forename: Daniel Ferreira da
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001284:Atrophy; D001361:Avitaminosis; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005928:Glossitis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins