The effect of gastric Helicobacter pylori eradication on recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been suggested to be associated with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) as well as many other diseases.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study on a total of 23 patients with RAS to investigate the relationship between H. pylori and RAS as well as the effect of eradication therapy on the recurrence. All patients underwent endoscopic examination and gastric biopsy. The biopsy materials were examined histopathologically whether they contained H. pylori or not. The density of H. pylori was also noted. The patients with H. pylori infection were followed up for up to 1 year after starting the eradication therapy.

RESULTS

Gastric mucosal H. pylori colonization was + in 39%, ++ in 39%, +++ in 9%, and - in 13% of the patients, respectively. There were statistically significant decreases in the recurrence rate and amelioration time of RAS by eradication therapy. There were no significant correlations among the intensity of H. pylori with the recurrence rate, number, diameter, and amelioration time of the lesions in 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that eradication of H. pylori may have reducing effects on the recurrence and amelioration period of the RAS.