Effect of bedtime on recurrent aphthous stomatitis in college students

In this study, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey at Sichuan University to investigate the potential effects of bedtime on recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

An anonymous self-designed questionnaire was adopted to investigate the association between bedtime and RAS in college students at Sichuan University. Statistical analyses were used to identify risk factors for RAS and to explore the relationship between bedtime and RAS.

One thousand six students were investigated. High frequency of colds (odds ratio [OR] 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52-3.10; P < .001) and bedtime after 11 p.m. (OR 16.55; 95% CI 6.49-42.16; P < .001) were independent risk factors for RAS recurrence, but family history, stress, bad relationships with roommates, and gastrointestinal disease were not. Moreover, increased frequency of bedtime after 11 p.m. (τ > 0; P < .05), as well as longer cumulative time from 11 p.m. to bedtime (R > 0; P < .05), was correlated with increased severity of ulcers.

Bedtime after 11 p.m. not only served as an independent risk factor but both its frequency and cumulative time were also associated with severity of RAS in college students.