Abstract
There is currently a lack of effective drugs to cure recurrent aphthous stomatitis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics alone or as an adjunct in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients. Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, of which three were included in quantitative analysis. Of five studies evaluating the efficacy of probiotics alone compared with placebo or Oracure gel, two reported no significant difference in relieving oral pain, while probiotics exhibited a higher capacity for decreasing oral pain in the other three. A significant decrease in ulcer severity was found in one, while no significant difference was found in the other four. The remaining two studies demonstrated that probiotics, as an adjunct to steroids or anaesthetic antiseptic gel, significantly reduced the ulcer severity and oral pain. The meta-analysis showed a significant decrease in oral pain (− 1.72, P = 0.0001) with probiotics compared with placebo. In conclusion, probiotics alone were capable of relieving oral pain but not effective in reducing ulcer severity. A combination of probiotics and steroids or anaesthetic antiseptic gel was more effective than steroids or anaesthetic antiseptic gel alone in RAS patients. Probiotics are promising for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
Highlights
There is currently a lack of effective drugs to cure recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Not more effective compared with Oracure gel group Significantly more effective compared with control group
More effective compared with Oracure gel group therapy; (2) the outcome assessment measures and follow-up period; (3) the biosafety of probiotics; and (4) the quality of the included literature
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics alone or as an adjunct in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients. The remaining two studies demonstrated that probiotics, as an adjunct to steroids or anaesthetic antiseptic gel, significantly reduced the ulcer severity and oral pain. Probiotics alone were capable of relieving oral pain but not effective in reducing ulcer severity. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common self-limited oral mucosal disease worldwide, with a prevalence ranging from 5 to 66% in different c ountries[1,2]. Current treatment for RAS is primarily symptomatic, aiming at alleviating pain, promoting ulcer healing, and trying to prevent a recurrence. The long-term application of steroids, the most common drug in the treatment of RAS, might give rise to serious adverse events, including oral mucosa atrophy and immunity deficiency[13].
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