Recurrent aphthous ulcers among tobacco users- hospital based study

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Dental Research
• Public Health

Background:

• The relationship between tobacco consumption and the incidence of aphthous ulcers is not clearly established in existing literature.
• Recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) are a common oral condition with multifactorial etiology.
• Understanding potential protective or risk factors, such as tobacco use, is crucial for managing RAU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between various forms of tobacco usage and the occurrence of recurrent aphthous ulcers.
• To determine if tobacco consumption influences the prevalence of aphthous ulceration.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in a dental teaching hospital in Cochin, India.
• 102 patients diagnosed with aphthous ulceration (cases) and 108 controls without aphthous ulcers were recruited.
• Tobacco usage was assessed through structured interviews.

Main Results:

• An adjusted odds ratio of 0.41 (95% Confidence Interval: 0.19-0.87) was observed for tobacco usage in relation to aphthous ulceration.
• This indicates that tobacco users were 59% less likely to develop aphthous ulcers compared to non-tobacco users.
• The findings suggest a statistically significant inverse relationship between tobacco use and aphthous ulcer occurrence.

Conclusions:

• Tobacco consumers exhibit a lower frequency of aphthous ulceration when compared to individuals who do not use tobacco.
• Tobacco use may have a protective effect against the development of recurrent aphthous ulcers.