G Almoznino1, A Zini, Y Mizrahi, D J Aframian. 1. Department of Oral Medicine, Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Oral Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Center, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To characterize demographic, clinical and serological parameters in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients and analyse their association with serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with RAS responded to a questionnaire that included demographic background, stress status, smoking habits, history and course of RAS episodes. They were also subjected to relevant laboratory tests, including determination of serum IgE levels. RESULTS: A familial history of RAS was reported by 47.9% of the patients, stress in the previous year by 51.1% and smoking by 18.4%. Non-Caucasian origin, familial history of RAS, stress and smoking were associated with increased severity of RAS episodes. Haematological deficiencies were observed in 18.7% of RAS patients. Average IgE levels were increased and were significantly associated with younger age, ≤12 years of schooling, female gender, RAS episode frequency of every 2 weeks, early onset of RAS episodes and elevated C reactive protein levels. CONCLUSION: Immunoglobulin E levels may be considered as part of the RAS patient's work-up. Further research is needed to identify biological mechanisms that account for the observed associations.
OBJECTIVES: To characterize demographic, clinical and serological parameters in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients and analyse their association with serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with RAS responded to a questionnaire that included demographic background, stress status, smoking habits, history and course of RAS episodes. They were also subjected to relevant laboratory tests, including determination of serum IgE levels. RESULTS: A familial history of RAS was reported by 47.9% of the patients, stress in the previous year by 51.1% and smoking by 18.4%. Non-Caucasian origin, familial history of RAS, stress and smoking were associated with increased severity of RAS episodes. Haematological deficiencies were observed in 18.7% of RAS patients. Average IgE levels were increased and were significantly associated with younger age, ≤12 years of schooling, female gender, RAS episode frequency of every 2 weeks, early onset of RAS episodes and elevated C reactive protein levels. CONCLUSION:Immunoglobulin E levels may be considered as part of the RAS patient's work-up. Further research is needed to identify biological mechanisms that account for the observed associations.