Folate Levels in Burning Tongue

It can be recognized that some hematological abnormalities are involved in burning tongues. The aim of this study was to compare folate levels between patients with burning tongue and healthy control group. Twenty-nine patients with tongue symptoms were enrolled in this study. They were compared with 21 healthy volunteers. Complete blood counts, hemoglobin typing, serum and red cell folate, and serum vitamin B12 levels were investigated. Medication taking and systemic diseases in all subjects were recorded. The results showed that 13 out of 29 patients (44.83%) had low red cell folate levels, whereas all healthy subjects had normal red cell folate levels. Patients with low red cell folate levels were defined as folate deficiency (n=6), folate deficient erythropoiesis (n=2) and folate depletion (n=5). There was a significant difference in red cell folate levels between two groups (p=0.000). Interestingly, 11 out of 29 patients with low red cell folate levels showed various tongue appearances such as geographic, fissured, coated, atrophic and foliate papillitis. Only 2 cases of burning tongue with normal appearance revealed low red cell folate levels. Moreover, there was no significant difference in red cell folate levels between medication and non medication taking patients (p=0.534). This study showed an association between red cell folate level and burning tongue but no association was observed between folate levels and any attendant systemic condition or prescribed medication.