[Hematologic deficiencies in patients with recurrent oral aphthae].
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies and their role in the development of recurrent oral ulcerations is not well known. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these deficiencies in our patients.


METHODS
Iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were studied in 80 patients with recurrent oral ulcerations (ROU) and the results were compared with a control group of 29 patients with different oral diseases.


RESULTS
In the recurrent oral ulcers patients, deficiencies were detected in 21/80 patients (26.2%). In 18 cases they were pure: iron (4), folic acid (10) and vitamin B12 (4). In 3 patients, combined deficiencies were detected, being secondary to pernicious anaemia in two patients. In the control group, deficiencies were observed in 4/29 cases (13.7%). In three cases they were isolated (one case suffered from ferropenic anaemia and two patients of pernicious anaemia).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with recurrent oral ulcerations have more frequently iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies than those with other diseases of oral mucosa. However, there were not significant differences when the frequency of deficiency of each one of such elements were taken into account separately.
Barnadas
M A
MA
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona.
Remacha
A
A
Condomines
J
J
de Moragas
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications*
D005492:Folic Acid; D007501:Iron; D014805:Vitamin B 12