Clinical Features of Partial Atrophic Tongue Associated with Candida

Background: Clinical features of partial atrophic tongue associated with Candidia including median rhomboid glossitis have not been established. Methods: We enrolled 90 patients with atrophic tongue who were referred to our department with the chief symptom of tongue pain when eating spicy or hot food. They were diagnosed as having oral candidiasis, and were successfully treated with anti-fungal agents. The patients were divided into groups, based on partial atrophic (n = 29) or total atrophic tongue (n = 61). Age at presentation, sex, duration of tongue pain, other signs and symptoms, complete medical history, prior treatment for the symptom, and a culture test were obtained for each patient. Results: Statistically significant differences between the groups were observed for age distribution, predisposing factors for candidiasis, and culture tests. Conclusion: Patients with partial atrophic tongue were younger, were generally healthier, and Candida species were less frequency isolated in the culture than the patients with total atrophic tongue.