What is the most likely diagnosis for a red, painful tongue in an individual with uncontrolled diabetes?

What is the most likely diagnosis for a red, painful tongue in an individual with uncontrolled diabetes?

• A. Malnutrition
• B. Median rhomboid glossitis
• C. Benign migratory glossitis
• D. Acute glossitis

Answer: (A)

The most likely diagnosis for a red, painful tongue in an individual with uncontrolled diabetes is acute glossitis. This condition can occur due to several factors, including nutritional deficiencies, infections, or systemic conditions like diabetes. In uncontrolled diabetes, the immune system can be compromised, making individuals more susceptible to infections, including those that can affect the oral cavity. Acute glossitis is characterized by inflammation and swelling of the tongue, leading to pain and a change in color, often presenting as a red, smooth, and sometimes ulcerated surface. This could be exacerbated by high blood sugar levels affecting the body's ability to heal. The other options, such as malnutrition, median rhomboid glossitis, and benign migratory glossitis, can also lead to changes in the tongue's appearance, but they typically have different underlying causes or presentations. Malnutrition might not specifically cause a red, painful tongue without other systemic signs. Median rhomboid glossitis is usually associated with a specific pattern on the tongue, often without intense pain. Benign migratory glossitis, characterized by patches on the tongue surface, generally does not present as a uniformly red and painful tongue like acute glossitis does. Therefore, in the context of uncontrolled diabetes and the symptoms described,

The most likely diagnosis for a red, painful tongue in an individual with uncontrolled diabetes is acute glossitis. This condition can occur due to several factors, including nutritional deficiencies, infections, or systemic conditions like diabetes.

In uncontrolled diabetes, the immune system can be compromised, making individuals more susceptible to infections, including those that can affect the oral cavity. Acute glossitis is characterized by inflammation and swelling of the tongue, leading to pain and a change in color, often presenting as a red, smooth, and sometimes ulcerated surface. This could be exacerbated by high blood sugar levels affecting the body's ability to heal.

The other options, such as malnutrition, median rhomboid glossitis, and benign migratory glossitis, can also lead to changes in the tongue's appearance, but they typically have different underlying causes or presentations. Malnutrition might not specifically cause a red, painful tongue without other systemic signs. Median rhomboid glossitis is usually associated with a specific pattern on the tongue, often without intense pain. Benign migratory glossitis, characterized by patches on the tongue surface, generally does not present as a uniformly red and painful tongue like acute glossitis does.

Therefore, in the context of uncontrolled diabetes and the symptoms described,