The level of Vitamin B12 and hemoglobin in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Abstract

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral cavity. Although many factors have been suggested as possible causes of RAS, its precise etiology is controversial. Vitamin B12 (vit B12) and iron deficiencies may cause RAS. Aims: We investigated the level of serum hemoglobin (Hb) and vit B12 in patients with RAS and to compare them with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients who had had at least one episode of oral ulcerations per month since childhood were diagnosed as having RAS. Blood samples were drawn from the RAS group and control group for measuring blood Hb and vit B12 concentrations. Results: Exactly 195 patients (62 men and 133 women) with RAS and 217 healthy controls (62 men and 155 women) were enrolled in the study. The RAS group had significantly lower mean Hb levels than the control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference in the mean vit B12 level was demonstrated between the study group and controls. Around 58 (29.7%) patients were diagnosed as Hb deficient in the RAS group and 21 (9.7%) patients in controls. Vit B12 deficiency was diagnosed in 63 (32.3%) individuals in the RAS group and 32 (14.7%) individuals among controls. Conclusions: In our study, vit B12 and Hb deficiency were found higher in patients with RAS compared to the control group. Therefore, we suggested the investigation of the level of vit B12 and Hb in patients with RAS.