Swelling of vallate papillae of the tongue following arsenic exposure

This cross-sectional study was carried out in some selected arsenic contaminated rural areas of Bangladesh to determine any clinical changes in oral cavity, among the arsenic exposed population through drinking water. Total 600 respondents (200 arsenicosis patients, 200 non-patients but having the history of taking arsenic contaminated water and another 200 arsenic non-exposed). 75.5 % of arsenicosis patients had swelled vallate papillae whereas only 44.5 % and 8.5 % in case of arsenic exposure and non-exposure subjects respectively. The differences were found statistically significant (p<0.001). This study suggests that there is a tendency of developing swelled vallate papillae among the arsenic exposed population