Are Recurrent Mouth Ulcers a Sign Of Rheumatism

Oral ulcers (oral aphthae), which are quite common in the population, may be a precursor to inflammatory rheumatic diseases. When we drink something hot or throw an acidic food and drink into our mouth, we can describe mouth sores that suddenly manifest themselves with a pain on the inside of the lips and cheeks, on the tongue and palate; usually round-shaped, pronounced borders, reddened around, covered with a white-yellow layer and slightly dimpled sores.

When we look at the underlying causes of this problem, we typically encounter vitamin deficiency resulting from stress or loss of appetite. However, Medistate Kavacık Hospital Rheumatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sait Burak Erer highlighted that inflammatory rheumatic diseases may be the underlying cause of mouth ulcers, which are very common in society, and explained to our magazine how this distinction can be made... Oral ulcers, which are usually painful, not only impair a person's quality of life but can also be a precursor or symptom of some important systemic diseases. Although they can appear singly, oral ulcers sometimes occur in large numbers and heal within 1-2 weeks without leaving scars.

The Most Common Causes of Mouth Ulcers

• Trauma due to hard or hot foods
• Use of various medications
• Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Stress

What If He's Repeating It?

We can list several causes for the formation of sores in the mouth; factors such as certain intervening infections, trauma from hard or hot foods, the use of various medications, certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies, or stress can contribute to this problem. However, mouth ulcers can also be seen at the onset or during the course of diseases known as inflammatory rheumatic disorders, which can affect our internal organs as well as the joints. In this regard, it is extremely important for patients with recurrent mouth ulcers to undergo the necessary examinations and investigations to protect themselves against such systemic rheumatic diseases that have the potential to cause serious health problems in the future.

What are Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases?

One of the important causes of mouth ulcers is Behçet's disease, which is frequently seen in our country and region. Recognizing this disease at an early stage will both aid in treatment success and help prevent significant health problems that may arise. In Behçet's disease, in addition to recurrent mouth ulcers (oral aphthae), there are also; Ulcer-related sores in the genital area of both men and women, Vascular occlusion. The condition known as uveitis, characterized by vision loss and redness in the eye, may present with pimple- or boil-like sores on the legs or torso. Rheumatic diseases that can cause mouth sores other than Behçet's disease include systemic lupus erythematosus, sjögren's syndrome, Wegener's disease, which leads to vascular inflammation and is evaluated in the vasculitis group, various spondyloarthropathies that lead to inflammation of the spinal system, especially reactive arthritis.

Kaynakça:

• American Academy of Oral Medicine. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores) Clinical Information.

• Sjögren’s Foundation. Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinical Manifestations.

• Vasculitis Foundation. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener’s) and Other Systemic Vasculitides.

• Sakane T, Takeno M, Suzuki N, Inaba G. Behçet’s Disease. New England Journal of Medicine.

• Scully C, Porter S. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis: Current Concepts of Etiology, Pathogenesis and Management. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine.

• Turkish Rheumatology Association. Behçet's Disease and Systemic Vasculitis Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines.