Elevated serum IgE in recurrent aphthous stomatitis and associations with disease characteristics

To characterize demographic, clinical and serological parameters in recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients and analyse their association with serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.

Forty-nine patients with RAS responded to a questionnaire that included demographic background, stress status, smoking habits, history and course of RAS episodes. They were also subjected to relevant laboratory tests, including determination of serum IgE levels.

A familial history of RAS was reported by 47.9% of the patients, stress in the previous year by 51.1% and smoking by 18.4%. Non-Caucasian origin, familial history of RAS, stress and smoking were associated with increased severity of RAS episodes. Haematological deficiencies were observed in 18.7% of RAS patients. Average IgE levels were increased and were significantly associated ‎with younger ‎age, ‎≤12 years of schooling, ‎female gender, ‎RAS ‎episode frequency of every ‎2 weeks‎,‎ early onset of RAS episodes and elevated C reactive protein levels.

Immunoglobulin E levels 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.