A study of the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and recurrent aphthous stomatitis using a urea breath test.

AIM: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common, well-known pathogenic agents in the development of peptic ulcers. Some investigators have shown a relationship between H. pylori and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). However, this relationship is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the association between H. pylori and RAS using the urea breath test (UBT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty-three patients with RAS and 44 non-RAS controls were evaluated. There were no differences in gender or age in the two groups. The UBT was used to detect H. pylori infection. Data were analyzed using the Chi Square Test.

RESULTS: Sixteen individuals in the RAS patients (37.2%) and 14 individuals in the control group (31.8%) had a positive breath test. The difference was not considered statistically significant (p=0.597).

CONCLUSION: In the present study no statistically significant difference was found between frequency of a positive UBT in the RAS patients and the control group.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Since the probability of a positive test was higher in the more severe cases this factor needs to be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of RAS.