Pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a review of literature

ABSTRACT

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis represents a very common chronic but poorly understood mucosal disorder, affecting 10% to 20% of the world population. They occur in men and women of all ages, races and geographic regions. It is estimated that at least 1 in 5 individuals has at least once been afflicted with aphthous ulcers. There are 3 clinical subtypes that is minor, major, and herpetiform on the basis of their size and number. Minor aphthous ulcers are the most common subtype, representing 80% to 90% of all recurrent aphthous ulcers. There are-four stages of the lesion, these includes premonitory, preulcerative, ulcerative, and healing stage. Clinically, RAS present as extremely painful, shallow ulcerations with an erythematous halo on unattached oral mucosa. Attacks may be precipitated by local trauma, stress, food intake, drugs, hormonal changes and vitamin and trace element deficiencies. Local and systemic conditions and genetic, immunological and microbial factors all may play a role in the pathogenesis o recurrent aphthous stomatitis. The primary differential diagnosis is herpes simplex