Diabetic neuropathy masquerading as glossodynia

Background. Diabetic neuropathy, or DN, occurs in approximately 50 percent of patients who have type 2 diabetes mellitus, or DM. Oral burning and symp toms consistent with glossodynia (burning mouth syndrome) may occur seconda ry to DN. Case Description. A 54-year-old woman reported to a university dental clini c with a chief complaint of oral burning. No clinical signs were evident. H er medical history was positive for type 2 DM. The initial diagnosis was gl ossodynia, and she was evaluated with relevant blood studies, which indicat ed that her diabetes was not well-controlled. The patient was referred back to her physician, and her symptoms abated once her diabetic condition was under control. Clinical Implications. It is important no consider DN within the differenti al diagnoses of patients who, have symptoms consistent with glossodynia but have no clinical signs. Dentists are invaluable in ascertaining underlying systemic disease considerations in patients with oral symptomatology. Coop eration between dentists and physicians often is helpful and necessary in c aring for patients who have uncontrolled type 2 DM and oral symptoms.