Thermal Imaging of the Tongue Surface as a Predictive Method in the Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, the high prevalence of diabetes has become a global public health problem. Background: The objective of this study was to develop a non-invasive screening method for diabetes which will enable the detection of the disease at an early stage. Methods: This study included 63 adult patients of both sexes: 30 patients with type 2 diabetes (t2DM) and 33 healthy volunteers. The temperature distribution on the tongue’s dorsum and apex surface was studied in patients after a mouth-cooling procedure had been introduced. The study used an FLIR T540 thermal imaging camera. An analysis of the correlation between the ∆T values of the tongue dorsum and apex and the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level was performed. Results: The median of the average dorsum temperature measured 10 min after mouth rinsing was almost 0.8 [°C] lower than for healthy individuals. Also, studies showed a positive average correlation with a Pearson coefficient of r = 0.46 between the HbA1c level and the ∆T of the tongue dorsum. Conclusions: Tongue temperature measured using the IRT showed a correlation with standard biochemical parameters; it may also differentiate patients and constitute a specific screening method for patients with t2DM.