Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and its relationship to behgets disease

Abstract AR

Objectives : To study the incidence, epidemiology, and clinical aspects of chronic aphthous stomatitis and its relationship to Beh get s disease in our hospital.

Methods : 82 subjects (42 patients and 40 controls) were evaluated from June 1996 to July 1998.

Results : Minor aphthous ulcers were seen in 36patients (85.7%), major ulcers were seen in 4 patients (9.5%), herpetiform ulcers were in 2 patients (4.8%).

The lower lip was the commonest site of involvement (78.5%), and the tongue was the next site (14.2%).

The precipitating factors associated were stress (83.3%), food (54.8%), and local trauma (38.1%).

A familial history was noted in (52.3%), and past history of atopy was significant (45.3%).

A very significant relationship between smoking and a low incidence rate of aphthous ulcers was noted in this study.

Pathergy test was found to be positive in 11.9% of those patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis who developed the criteria ofBehget s disease later on.

Conclusion : This study confirms the findings of many earlier studies.

In addition it raises the possibility that the pathergy test may be useful as an indicator of early Behcet s disease.