Abstract:
Background:
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a painful disorder of unknown etiology. It is among the most common oral mucosal lesions with high prevalence among young adults.
Objectives:
To conduct a population-based study with 18-year-old army recruiters to assess its prevalence and associated factors in male adolescents.
Methods:
Interview during clinical examination in the army.
Results:
In this group (2,427 interviewed adolescents) there was a RAS prevalence of 24.9%. Smoking, herpes labialis and socioeconomic status correlated with the outcome.
Study Limitations:
only male adolescents were interviewed.
Conclusions:
Our results showed high prevalence of RAS; association with higher economic level and herpes simplex was found. Protective effect of smoking was confirmed.
Keywords:
Adolescent; Epidemiology; Stomatitis, Aphthous