DETECTION OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL TRENDS IN GLOSSODYNIA PATIENTS

Glossodynia affects primarily middle-aged women. Although many possibl e etiologies have been proposed for the syndrome, most have not been s ubstantiated. In the present study 56 glossodynia patients were evalua ted for their psychopathologic profile as reflected by the SCL-90 ques tionnaire. The data show that glossodynia patients present a relativel y high psychopathologic profile, especially on the scales of somatizat ion and depression. Significant correlations were found between the in tensity of pain experienced by the patients and some of the SCL-90 sca les (somatization, depression, anxiety, GSI and PSDI). No correlations were found between SCL-90 scores and duration of symptoms, prevalence of symptoms per day and patient's condition during the past year. Pat ients living alone were found to differ significantly from those livin g with a significant other (overall group effect significant at the 0. 01 level). The data suggest that psychopathologic trends may be associ ated with glossodynia.