Elevated insulin resistance in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

• Glucose metabolism disorders are increasingly linked to periodontal diseases.
• Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral condition with potential systemic implications.
• Understanding the relationship between RAS and metabolic health is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and extent of insulin resistance (IR) in individuals diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).
• To compare IR markers between patients with RAS and healthy controls.
• To explore potential differences in IR based on the stage of RAS (active vs. passive).

Main Methods:

• The study included 81 patients with RAS and 61 healthy controls.
• Key metabolic parameters were measured: blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
• Insulin resistance was assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index.

Main Results:

• Patients with RAS exhibited significantly higher levels of C-peptide, insulin, and HOMA-IR compared to the control group.
• In the active stage of RAS, patients showed elevated levels of HbA1c, glucose, TC, HDL cholesterol, and HOMA-IR.
• These findings indicate a notable association between recurrent aphthous stomatitis and impaired insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates elevated insulin resistance in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, a finding not previously well-established.
• Insulin resistance is more prominent during the active phase of RAS, suggesting that heightened inflammation may disrupt insulin signaling.
• Clinical recommendations include screening RAS patients for prediabetes to enable early intervention.