Association Between Sublingual Varices and Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shahad Abbas Waheed

doi:10.54133/ajms.v10i2.2862

Authors

Shahad Abbas Waheed Department of Orofacial Surgery and Oral Diagnosis, College of Dentistry, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8061-1092

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v10i2.2862

Keywords:

Hypertension, Oral varix, Sublingual varices , Sublingual caruncle , Sublingual varicosities

Abstract

Background: Sublingual varices are dilated and tortuous veins located on the ventral surface of the tongue. Their etiology is unknown, but several risk factors have been proposed, including hypertension. Objective: To evaluate the association between sublingual varices and hypertension. Methods: Patients were classified according to blood pressure measurements into three groups: normal, Grade 1 hypertension, and Grade 2 hypertension. Hypertension status was further categorized as controlled or uncontrolled. Sublingual varices were clinically assessed, and their morphological features were described. The presence of venous dilation in other sites was also recorded. Results: Sublingual varices were identified in 58.4% of participants. Increasing age and the presence of hypertension were significant predictors of sublingual varices. Hypertensive patients were 2.7 times more likely to present with sublingual varices compared with normotensive individuals. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension showed the highest prevalence (79.5%; p=0.001). Although a higher prevalence was observed in patients with Grade 1 and Grade 2 hypertension, these differences were not statistically significant. Two morphological patterns of sublingual varices were observed: linear branching pattern (63.6%) and papular pattern (36.4%). Fifteen percent of patients had venous dilation in the sublingual caruncle area. Conclusions: The presence of sublingual varices may reflect vascular alterations associated with elevated blood pressure and could serve as a visible clinical marker for hypertension.

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