THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND LABORATORY DATA OF 112 PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
1Konya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, KBB Kliniği, Konya, Türkiye2Mardin Devlet Hastanesi, KBB Kliniği, Mardin, Türkiye
3İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, KBB Kliniği, İzmir, Türkiye
4İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Biyokimya Laboratuvarı, İzmir, Türkiye Objective: To investigate the incidence of anemia and the incidence of iron, vitamin B 12 and folate deficiencies, in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and to query the necessity of routine laboratory tests in these patients.
Patients and Methods: The medical records (demographic and laboratory data) of 112 patients who admitted to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with recurrent aphthous stomatitis between January 2012 and November 2012 were collected. Patients' demographic data, complete blood counts, serum iron and iron binding level, ferritin, vitamin B 12 and folate levels were recorded. The incidence of hematologic deficiencies were calculated, and the deficiencies were statistically analyzed retrospectively regarding the relationship with each other and sex.
Results: A total of 112 patients (75 female, 37 male) aged between 18 and 80 years (mean age 39.1 ± 15.1) were included the study. Only 4 patients (3.6%) had anemia. At least one of serum iron, ferritin, vitamin B 12 or folate levels were found low in 77 patients (68.8%). Low serum iron levels were found in 63 patients (56.3%), and observed as the most common hematologic deficit. Ferritin levels in 42 patients (37.5%) were found decreased. Vitamin B 12 and folate levels with 15 patients (13.4%) were low.
Conclusion: Hematological deficiencies were observed two of every three patients in our study. The high rates of deficiencies suggest that, laboratory tests should be performed routinely in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
Keywords : Aphthous stomatitis, anemia, iron, ferritin, vitamin B 12, folate