Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Stress as an etiologic co-factor in recurrent aphthous ulcers and oral lichen planus
Priyadarshini Karthikeyan1, Nalini Aswath
1Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital.
Abstract:
This study aimed to examine the role of stress in the occurrence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and oral lichen planus (OLP), as well as to analyze the efficacy of saliva, urine, and serum cortisol levels as markers of stress. This study included 30 subjects with RAS (Group A), 30 with OLP (Group B), and 30 controls (Group C). The serum, salivary, and urinary cortisol levels were measured using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. The results were analyzed using the independent t-test, and a statistically significant difference (P = 0.000) was observed between the study and control groups. Further analysis was done using ANOVA and post-hoc tests. The results of this study suggest that RAS and OLP patients had higher cortisol levels than controls, indicating that stress acts as a co-factor in the pathogenesis of RAS and OLP. Although urinary cortisol level was found to be the best indicator of stress, saliva can also be used as a reliable marker. (J Oral Sci 58, 237-240, 2016).
Related Concept Videos
01:22Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds...
01:30Peptic Ulcer Disease I: Introduction
An acute ulcer, marked by superficial erosion and minimal inflammation, swiftly resolves upon identifying and addressing the underlying cause. In contrast, a chronic ulcer persists, potentially eroding through the muscular wall and forming fibrous tissue.
Peptic ulcers can also be...
01:24Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease II: Pathophysiology
Damaging agents such as Helicobacter pylori, gastric acid, pepsin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can weaken the mucosal defense, allowing hydrogen ions to infiltrate back and harm epithelial cells.
01:17Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
01:26Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current...