Thalidomide and recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Thalidomide is used for the symptomatic treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Some authors reported remissions, but this was not evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the number of patients who could stop or reduce thalidomide treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with RAS treated with thalidomide and followed during at least 1 year were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
Six patients could stop the treatment and further presented minor aphthae, 10 needed minimal daily doses of thalidomide and 7 did not respond to 100 mg daily. One patient was not evaluated because of an early side effect and one was lost to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that a minority of patients responded and could stop thalidomide therapy whereas another group of patients could be maintained in remission with low doses of thalidomide which may represent a means to reduce the potentially severe side effects.
Bonnetblanc
J M
JM
Department of Dermatology, CHRU Dupuytren, Limoges, France.
Royer
C
C
Bedane
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide