Related Experiment Videos
Role of drug exposure in aphthous ulcers: a case-control study
S Boulinguez1, S Reix, C Bedane
1Department of Dermatology and Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, University Hospital Dupuytren, 2 Avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87042 Limoges cedex, France.
Background:
Drug-induced aphthous ulcers have been the subject of several isolated and heterogeneous case reports for the last three decades.
Objectives:
To perform a case-control study to evaluate the risks linked to drug exposure in aphthous ulcers.
Methods:
Eighty patients with typical clinical patterns of aphthous ulcers and 152 control patients who had had consultations for skin tumours were studied. A standardized questionnaire, concerning clinical features, life-style and medications taken during the last month, was completed for each patient.
Results:
Case patients had a much higher intake of medications than control patients, respectively, 5.1 and 2. 8 medications per patient (P < 0.0001). Multivariate paired analysis showed an association between aphthous ulcers and two classes of drugs: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (P < 0.001) and beta-blockers (P = 0.002). Smoking could have a protective effect against aphthous ulcers (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Previous case reports and the results of this study suggest a real link between beta-blockers and aphthous ulcers. Our study did not confirm a role of other drugs but a few interesting case reports with positive reintroduction have to be considered. These results could be beneficial for patients, as healing may occur when the incriminated drug is discontinued.