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Journal Title: Clinical and experimental dermatology (Clin. exp. dermatol.) ISSN 0307-6938 CODEN CEDEDE
Source: 2006, vol. 31, no2, pp. 192-195 [4 page(s) (article)] (20 ref.)
The prevalence and significance of fissured tongue and geographical tongue in psoriatic patients
Author: ZARGARI O. Dermatology Clinic, Booali Medical Group, Rasht, IRAN, REPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE D'

Abstract
Background: Tongue lesions are not uncommon in psoriasis, but their significance is not clear.
Aims: To determine the prevalence of tongue lesions in patients with psoriasis and to detect possible associations.
Methods: All consecutive patients with psoriasis seen in a dermatology clinic in northern Iran between January 2000 and January 2005 were enrolled in a prospective study. A questionnaire detailing the clinical and epidemiological features of the disease was completed for each patient, and all patients were examined for tongue lesions.
Results: In total, 306 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in the study (170 women, 136 men; female : male ratio 1.25 : 1; mean age 29.7 years; mean age at onset of psoriasis 23.3 years). Overall, 47 patients (15.4%) had tongue lesions; 25 (8.2%) had fissured tongue, 17 (5.6%) had geographical tongue (benign migratory glossitis) and 5 (1.6%) patients had both fissured and geographical tongue. Geographical tongue was seen in 7.2% of patients with early onset psoriasis and only in 1.3% of patients with late-onset psoriasis. Overall, patients with tongue lesions were found to have more nail and genital involvement.
Conclusion: It appears that geographical tongue, but not fissured tongue, is more common in early onset psoriasis and may be an indicator of disease severity.