Burning mouth syndrome and vitamin B12 deficiency.

摘要

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a common disorder characterized by burning and painful dysesthesias in the absence of oral lesions.1 It is proposed to be linked to lower density of epithelial nerve fibres as well as axonal degeneration.2 Since 1970s, the association between BMS and nutritional deficiencies has also been examined. BMS patients exhibit low levels of serum vitamin B_1 B_2 and B_6 concentrations but a decrease in serum vitamin B_(12) is the most common finding. The present report describes the effects of vitamin B_(12) supplementation in a patient with BMS. In March 2008, a 73-year-old man who was referred to our 'BMS team' because of a clinical suspicious of BMS associated with dental prosthesis, which were recently completed. The patient reported that he had a pain and burning sensation in his tongue. He claimed an increased sensitivity to his tongue's sensations, especially after exposure to chemicals (e.g., pesticides, solvents and essential oils).