Recurrent aphthous stomatitis as an expression of pathergy in atopics.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) may be part of the "atopic background". Recently it has been reported that aphtous stomatitis could be an expression of atopic diathesis. The aim of this study is to verify whether the prevalence of posttraumatic aphthae is higher in patients with RAS and atopic diathesis than in patients with RAS without atopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the past three years 39 new patients between 14 and 56 years of age and affected by idiopathic RAS have been observed. Atopic status and history of posttraumatic aphthosis were evaluated in all patients. RESULTS: The results appear to show that in our population the prevalence of posttraumatic aphthae is higher among atopic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Not only RAS but also pathergy could be considered an expression of the rich clinical/ symptomatic constellation of atopic diathesis.