Significant response of oral aphthosis to thalidomide treatment

The results are reported of the treatment of forty patients who had aphthous manifestations with the administration of thalidomide in daily doses ranging between 100 and 300 mg, over a period of 1 to 3 months. The study comprised nineteen patients with severe aphthosis, 17 with mild aphthosis, three with bipolar manifestations, and one with Sutton and Sutton's periadenitis mucosa necrotica recurrens. The results obtained were judged as remissions (35%) and marked improvements (40%). It is felt that thalidomide constitutes the most effective therapeutic approach so far available for oral aphthae, not only because it rapidly controls their manifestation but also because it controls recurrences.