Recurrent aphthous stomatitis in 18-year-old adolescents - Prevalence and associated factors: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a painful disorder of unknown etiology. It is among the most common oral mucosal lesions with high prevalence among young adults.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a population-based study with 18-year-old army recruiters to assess its prevalence and associated factors in male adolescents.

METHODS: Interview during clinical examination in the army.

RESULTS: In this group (2,427 interviewed adolescents) there was a RAS prevalence of 24.9%. Smoking, herpes labialis and socioeconomic status correlated with the outcome.

STUDY LIMITATIONS: only male adolescents were interviewed.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed high prevalence of RAS; association with higher economic level and herpes simplex was found. Protective effect of smoking was confirmed.