The Role of Stress in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Abstract Objectives  This study aimed to determine the role of stress in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Stress was examined with the Perceived Stress Scale and cortisol levels; meanwhile, recurrent aphthous stomatitis was assessed with the duration of the lesion. Materials and Methods  This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted at Oral Medicine Installation, Universitas Sumatera Utara Dental Hospital, and Prodia Laboratory, Medan. The subjects were 50 patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, without systemic disease, who did not take systemic drugs or use orthodontic appliances. The diagnosis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis was established with anamnesis and clinical examination. Stress was examined by filling out the Perceived Stress Scale questionnaire and blood tests for serum cortisol levels. Statistical analysis  The data were analyzed using the Fisher test and Mann–Whitney U test. Results  This study showed no significant relationship between the Perceived Stress Scale category and recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with a p -value of 0.392. This study also showed no significant relationship between blood cortisol level and recurrent aphthous stomatitis with a p -value of 1.000. Conclusion  Stress may play an important role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. However, this study did not show any difference in stress examined through the Perceived Stress Scale and cortisol levels based on the duration of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.