Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone salivary levels, stress and anxiety in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

摘要

Objective: In the present study we investigated salivary concentrations of the hormones cortisol?and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), stress and anxiety levels in patients with recurrent aphthous?stomatitis (RAS). Methods: The sample consisted of 60 individuals of both sexes, aged between 18 and 50 years: 30?patients with RAS and 30 controls. Stress and anxiety were assessed using the Lipp’s Adult Stress?Symptom Inventory and the Beck’s Anxiety Inventory, respectively. The saliva samples were collected?in the morning and in the afternoon on the same day. In the RAS group, the samples were collected?in the presence of active lesions and after remission. The salivary levels of cortisol and DHEA were?determined by radioimmunoassay. Results: RAS patients exhibited significantly higher anxiety scores (P=0.001) and prevalence of?stress (P=0.004). There was no significant difference in DHEA and cortisol levels between RAS?and control groups. Cortisol levels (P=0.008 and P=0.001) and the cortisol/DHEA ratio (P=0.054?and P=0.007) were significantly increased in the RAS patients with active lesions comparing with?the remission phase (P=0.007). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates an association of stress and anxiety with RAS. However?cortisol and DHEA did not differ between patients with RAS and controls.