Effectiveness of two oral pastes for the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of two topical medications to reduce the pain and size of recurrent minor aphthous ulcers.


METHODS
Ten Colombian Dental Faculties' clinics.


METHODS
A double-blind randomized multi-centre clinical study.


METHODS
Ninety-six patients complaining of at least five acute aphthous ulcers were randomized to two intervention groups. Sample size was calculated using an alpha error of 0.05 and beta of 0.20.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to receive 5% amlexanox or a 0.05% clobetasol propionate magistral preparation. Observers at the participating institutions were previously trained to standardize clinical diagnosis and data recollection. Ulcer size and pain were measured on treatment days 0, 2 and 5.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found between the two groups studied in any of the studied variables at baseline. Both treatment medications significantly reduced pain magnitude and the index ulcer's size on days 2 and 5 compared with day 0 without adverse reactions (within groups differences). No statistical differences between groups of the study medications were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The two treatments applied had similar effectiveness as they both relieved pain and reduced the size of recurrent aphthous ulcers.
Rodríguez
M
M
Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia. mrodriguezgo@unal.edu.co
Rubio
J A
JA
Sanchez
R
R
D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000631:Aminopyridines; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002990:Clobetasol; C045742:amlexanox