Prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a multifactorial recurrent oral lesion;  which is an autoimmune disease. TH1 cytokines are the most important etiological factors. Autoimmune
thyroid disease (ATD) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and generally  coexists with other autoimmune diseases. This study assessed the prevalence of thyroid disease in
patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. This case control study assessed 100 patients with RAS. Oral  medicine specialists diagnosed RAS clinically; venous blood samples were analyzed for thyroid  stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), total thyroxine (fT4), thyroglobulin, anti-  thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG) levels. Fifty patients with RAS aged between 18-42 years (28.5±5.8) and 50 healthy volunteers  aged 19-45 years (27.3±5.4) participated. In RAS patients, fT3 and TSH levels were significantly
higher (P=0.031, P=0.706); however, fT4 level was lower in the RAS group (P=0.447). Anti TG and  anti-TPO levels were significantly higher in the RAS group (P=0.008, P=0.067). Our study showed that ATD prevalence was significantly higher in RAS patients.  Based on this study, we recommend assessment of thyroid hormones and antibodies in RAS patients.
Keywords: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis; Thyroid autoimmune disease; Thyroid hormone,  Thyroid antibodies.