Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS; recurrent aphthous ulcers; canker sores) belongs to the group of chronic, inflammatory, ulcerative diseases of the oral mucosa. Up to now, the etiopathogenesis of this condition remains unclear; it is, however, considered to be multifactorial. The results of currently performed studies indicate that genetically mediated disturbances of the innate and acquired immunity play an important role in the disease development. Factors that modify the immunologic response in RAS include: food allergies, vitamin and microelement deficiencies, hormonal and gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), some viral and bacterial infections, mechanical injuries and stress. In this paper, we presented the main etiopathogenetic factors of RAS with a special emphasis on the mechanisms of the immune response modification. Moreover, we discussed the crucial clinical symptoms and types of RAS together with epidemiologic data based on the current medical literature reports and our own observations.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS; recurrent aphthous ulcers – RAU; canker sores) is a chronic inflammatory, ulcerative condition of the oral mucosa. Its prevalence in the general population ranges between 5% and 20%, depending on the method and group studied. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is considered to be multifactorial, but remains still not fully understood. In patients with RAS, an enhanced immunologic response occurs to some trigger factors that may include: mechanical injury, stress or bacterial and viral antigens. Higher prevalence of aphthae in relatives may also indicate the genetic background of the condition. The inheritance of some specific gene polymorphisms, especially those encoding proinflammatory cytokines, which play a role in the formation of aphthous ulcer, may predispose family members to RAS. The purpose of this paper was to present the main clinical features of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, epidemiologic data and crucial etiopathogenetic factors with a special emphasis on genetic background of the condition.
IntroductionRecurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common chronic inflammatory oral mucosa disease with an unknown cause. However, dysregulation of the immune response seems to play an important role in this disease.AimTo evaluate the vitamin D status in RAS patients and its effects on RAS severity, given the likely immunomodulatory function of vitamin D in the human organism.Material and methodsSixty-six patients with RAS and 66 controls were examined. Immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive treatment and other ulcerative oral diseases were used as exclusion criteria. The severity of RAS was assessed according to the clinical classification of the disease, the number of lesions per flare-up and the length of intervals between the attacks. The serum vitamin D level was established in each participant.ResultsThe mean serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were found to be 16.81 ng/ml in the study group and 19.22 ng/ml in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. In the study group, 5 (7.6%) participants were diagnosed with the “normal” vitamin D levels, while 16 (24.2%) had “insufficient” levels and 45 (68.2%) had “deficient” levels. The corresponding distribution in the control group was 8 (12.1%), 18 (27.3%) and 40 (60.6%), respectively. There was no statistical significance in the difference of vitamin D deficits between the study and the control groups. No correlation was detected between the severity of RAS and the serum vitamin D level.ConclusionsVitamin D does not seem to be a trigger factor for RAS occurrence and does not appear to influence the severity of the disease in the studied group.
Vitamin D belongs to a group of fat-soluble secosteroids which assume many roles in the human organism. In humans the most important forms are vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. Their primary function is the regulation of the calcium and phosphorus balance, which promote the growth of healthy bony tissue. Studies over the past few years have revealed a much wider role of vitamin D involving the aging processes, carcinogenesis, the carbohydrate balance as well as the effects on the course of various infections. In this paper we discuss the basic functions of vitamin D in the human body and the mechanisms of its activity and we summarize recent reports on the impact of vitamin D on the oral cavity with a special emphasis on autoimmunologic diseases, including: recurrent aphthous stomatitis, Behçet syndrome and Sjögren syndrome.
Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), a common oral mucosal disorder characterized by chronic, in ammatory, and ovoid ulcers, has a complex aetiology. The purpose of the study was to investigate the dietary factors in uencing the prevalence of RAS. Methods: A total of 754 participants aged 18 to 59 years in Nanjing were enrolled in this descriptive cross-sectional study. An anonymous questionnaire was adopted to investigate the distribution of RAS, dietary factors, self-reported trigger factors and therapeutic methods. Results: Among all participants, the prevalence rate of RAS was 21.4%. Univariable analysis identi ed fruits, dairy products, vegetables and drinking water, but not fried foods, fermented foods, spicy foods, or eggs, as in uencing factors of RAS. After adjusting for age and sex, multivariable regression analysis identi ed fruits (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = .432, 95% con dence interval [CI] = [.219-.853], p = .015) and drinking water (aOR = 3.603, 95% CI = [1.280-10.147], p = .015) as protective factors of RAS. Conclusion: RAS is prevalent among the 18-to 59-year-old Nanjing population. A lower intake of fruits and drinking water might be associated with a higher prevalence of RAS. These factors could be used as daily preventive measures for RAS.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.