title: [The evaluation of serum vitamin B12, folic acid and hemoglobin levels in patients with recurrent minor aphthous stomatitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the serum levels of hemoglobin, vitamin B12 and folic acid in patients with recurrent minor aphthous stomatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2010 and January 2012, a total of 112 patients including 57 with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (study group; 30 males 27 females; mean age 36.7±13.9 years; range 13 to 74 years) and 45 with chronic tinnitus patients without recurrent aphthous stomatitis (control group; 18 males 27 females; mean age 39.7±15.1 years; range 20 to 80 years) who were admitted to our clinic were included in this study. The serum hemoglobin, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels of the patients were measured and statistically compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in serum levels of hemoglobin and folic acid between the groups. Serum levels of vitamin B12 were significantly lower in the study group, compared to the control group (p<0.05). Serum levels of hemoglobin and folic acid were significantly lower in women compared to men in both groups (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin B12 deficiency, but not lower levels of folic acid and hemoglobin, may play a role in the underlying etiology of aphthous stomatitis. Vitamin B12 supplements may be added to the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine Faculty of Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. giraynali@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Giray
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aynali
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Ayşe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aynali
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ceyhan
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Armağan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yarıktaş
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doğan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000097:blood*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12