Thyroid Autoimmunity In Patients With Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Abstract

Background:

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is an inflammatory disease which is characterized with the appearance of self healing and recurrent aphtous ulcerations in the oral mucosa. Though the etiopathogenesis of RAS is not clear many factors including autoimmunity have been implicated in the pathogenesis. We aimed to investigate if thyroid autoimmunity is increased in RAS patients as autoimmune thyroid diseases are frequently accompanied by various other autoimmune diseases.

Material and Methods:

Forty patients with RAS and 20 sex and age matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroglobuline, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobuline antibody (anti-TG) levels were measured and thyroid ultrasonography was performed in the patient and control groups.

Results:

In the patient group the mean fT3 levels were 3,26±0,41 pg/mL, fT4: 1,03±0,23 ng/d, TSH: 2,08±2,09 mlU/mL, thyroglobuline: 22,71±78,23 ng/ml, anti-TG: 122,41±631,49 mlU/mL, anti-TPO: 38,50±130,79 mlU/mL. In the control group the mean fT3 levels were 3,53±0,60 pg/mL, fT4: 0,83±0,191 ng/d, TSH: 1,56±1,14 mlU/mL, thyroglobuline:11,79±11,04 ng/ml, anti-TG: 2,82±4,55 mlU/mL, anti-TPO: 1,39±2,11 mlU/mL. In RAS patients, the fT4, anti-TPO and anti-TG levels were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Thyroid ultrasonography revealed nodules in 67.5% patients and 70% controls and heterogenity in 17.5% patients and 15% controls. No significant difference was found in ultasonography findings between the patient and the control groups (p>0,05).

Conclusion:

As the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity was higher in the patient group we advise to investigate associated autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with RAS.