Quantification of tongue coating using quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital image analysis and its correlation with visual evaluation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: The tongue coating is a grayish-white deposit that quickly reflects the state of health or disease of the human body. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) is a novel digital imaging system that objectively quantifies tongue coating. Aims: The present study aims to evaluate the correlation between the visual assessment of tongue coating and tongue coating by analysis of QLF-digital (QLF-D) images. Settings and Design: This was an in vivo explorative study. Materials and Methods: Fifty children aged 11–13 years with clinically visible tongue coating were selected for the study. Tongue coating was assessed clinically by the Tongue Coating Index (Shimizu et al., 2007) and digitally by QLF-D Biluminator™ 2, C3 software. Statistical Analysis: Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 23.0 software. Spearman’s rho correlation test was done, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between the visual assessment scoring and the QLF image analysis for the evaluation of tongue coating. Conclusion: The Digital QLF tongue imaging system was found to be reliable due to its correlation with the clinical score and objective nature.