The Association of Elevated Serum IgE and Xerostomia with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Abstract

Background and objectives: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral mucosal diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of RAS, the association of Immunoglobulin E with RAS and potential risk factors of RAS in patients at dental clinics of Sana’a universities in Sana’a city, Yemen. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2017 and includes 2164 patients. The patients interviewed and examined by dentists and 72 were clinically diagnosed to have RAS. The patients with RAS responded to a questionnaire that included demographic background, Qat chewing habits, smoking habits, history and course of RAS episodes. They were also subjected to laboratory tests, including determination of serum IgE levels and xerostomia. Results: The crude prevalence of RAS was 3.3%; female prevalence was 3.8% slightly higher than 2.4% of the male. There was a higher rate of RAS in age group 16-25 years (12.3%) and age group 26-35 years (9.3%) with OR=7 times and 4.1 times respectively (p<0.001). While lower rates of RAS were occurred in children under 15 years (0.41%) and older age (0.4%), (<0.001). The Mean±SD of IgE level for major RAS patients was 233±15.3IU/ml; while for minor was 127±17.3IU/ml. There was association between elevated IgE, Xerostomia, smoking habit, and chewing Qat and occurrence of major RAS (OR=6.4, 3.3, 26.8, and 7.1 respectively). Conclusion: Elevated IgE levels and xerostomia may be considered as part of the RAS patient’s work-up. Further research is needed to identify biological mechanisms that account for the observed associations.