Aphthous stomatitis
- Common condition characterised by the repeated formation of benign and non-contagious aphthae (mouth ulcers)
- Also known as "canker sores" (especially in North America)
- Classification:
- Simple aphthosis
- Most common form of the disease
- This is also called Mikulicz ulcers
- Individual usually experiences several episodes per year
- Usually one to several ulcers lasting up to 14 days
- Ulcers limited to oral mucosa
- Complex aphthosis
- Ulcers can involve oral and genital mucosa
- Usually ulcers are larger (>1cm) and can take several weeks to resolve
- Some experience such frequent episodes that they are rarely without ulcers
- Must exclude diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome before diagnosis is made
- Simple aphthosis
Epidemiology
- Common worldwide - highest prevalence in Middle East, Mediterranean and South Asia [1]
- Most individuals start developing recurrent aphthae during adolescence
- May decrease in later years and may spontaneously resolve for some
- More common in higher socioeconomic group
- ♀ > ♂