title: Dietary alterations in patients with oral vesiculoulcerative diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with oral vesiculoulcerative diseases experience chronic oral discomfort, which may alter their dietary intake. The prevalence of dietary changes in these patients was investigated to determine the need for additional interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight patients completed a diet and food continuous avoidance questionnaire. A visual analog scale (VAS) of 0 to 10 assessed symptoms. The study group (n = 25; VAS ≥ 2) and comparison group (n = 23; VAS = 0 or 1) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two percent and 13% of study and comparison group patients, respectively, (P = .004) avoided citrus fruits and tomatoes, with a higher percentage of tongue involvement noted among these patients. Avoidance of hard, spicy, and sour foods and alcohol was higher in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with moderate chronic oral vesiculoulcerative diseases modify their eating habits, which may impair well-being. Professional guidance regarding maintenance of a balanced diet during periods of exacerbation may be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: rakefetc@hadassah.org.il.
authors.forename: Rakefet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Czerninski
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel; Israeli Air Force Surgeon General Headquarters, Israel Defense Forces, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zadik
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kartin-Gabbay
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Avraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zini
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Riva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Touger-Decker
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010390:Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane / Q000150:complications*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires