Prevalence of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: An Institutional Study

Objective: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is an inflammatory condition, which is  characterized by recurrent painful, single or multiple  ulcers, appearing  in the oral mucosa. There is no particular curative treatment available for RAS. Prevalence data of RAS in general population of south India is lacking.  Hence, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of RAS among patients reporting to a Dental Institution  in Mangaluru, India.

Methods: Study involved the patients reporting to the Dental hospital with various complaints.    Detailed case history was recorded and clinical examination was done by trained professionals.  Patients having RAS were recruited in the study. For RAS patients, a questionnaire was provided which contained a details about demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, nature of the ulcers, treatment received . Data obtained from the questionnaire was analysed using software  SPSS 16.0 for windows .

Results: A total of 11,618 patients reported to the dental hospital during study period. Out of these patients  221 patients were clinically diagnosed with RAS. The prevalence of RAS was 1.9%.   Study consisted of 114 females (51.6%) and 107 males (48.4%). The age of patients with RAS   was ranging from 13 to 58-years. The percentage of patients with frequency of recurrent ulcers   within one month was 24.4%, one to three months was 38.9%, three to six months was 21.3% and more than six months was 15.4%.  Duration for the   healing of ulcers was also recorded.  Less than 1week duration(46.2% of  patients), 1-2 weeks (38% of patients),  and more than two weeks (15.8% of patients) was reported. RAS was associated with  specific food intake in  21.3 % patients. Treatment for RAS was received by 54.8 % of patients.  

Conclusion: This study provides important information about the prevalence and pattern of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in south India in comparison to the data available in the current literature.  This study alludes to importance of thorough history to identify the predisposing factors, thus prevention can be accomplished.  Present study helps the dentists to know the patients outlook towards RAS, this would contribute to improve patient management and thus development of newer efficient therapeutics .