Background/Aim: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most prevalent ulcerative disorder of the oral mucous membrane. The aim of the present contemplate is to assess salivary cortisol (SC) and salivary alpha amylase enzyme (SAA) levels in relation to anxiety in Egyptian patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
Subjects and Methods: patients with minor RAS as a study group (RAS group, n = 35) and healthy subjects as a control (control group, n = 35) who were matching regarding age, sex, and socioeconomic state were included in this study. SC and SAA were assessed in all participants using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and kinetic enzyme assay respectively. Hamilton's anxiety scale (HAS) has been used for evaluation of anxiety level in both study groups.
Results: A significantly high mean SC (1.7 ± 0.34 μg/dl), SAA (137.87 ± 47.16 U/ml) levels and anxiety score (26.7 ± 2.21) were recorded in RAS group (p = 0.00, 0.02, 0.00) respectively in comparison to control group.
Conclusion: Anxiety may have a pivotal role in etiopathogensis of RAS hence; Psychological management should be considered in RAS treatment.