Multivitamin therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized,
double-masked, placebo-controlled trial.
Author(s): Lalla RV, Choquette LE, Feinn RS, Zawistowski H, Latortue MC, Kelly ET,
Baccaglini L.
Affiliation(s): Section of Oral Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington,
Conn. 06030-1605, USA. lalla@uchc.edu
Publication date & source: 2012, J Am Dent Assoc. , 143(4):370-6
BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful condition of unknown
etiology, affecting more than 2.5 billion people worldwide. Vitamin deficiencies
have been implicated as a possible cause.
METHODS: The authors conducted a single-center, randomized, parallel-arm,
double-masked, placebo-controlled study to examine the effect of daily
multivitamin supplementation on the number and duration of RAS episodes. The
authors randomly assigned 160 adults who had a validated history of at least
three episodes of idiopathic minor RAS within the previous 12 months to one of
two groups: the first group (n = 83) received a once-daily multivitamin
containing 100 percent of the U.S. reference daily intake (RDI) of essential
vitamins, and the second group (n = 77) received once-daily placebo for up to 365
days.
RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference in the mean number of new
RAS episodes between the multivitamin (4.19 episodes) and placebo (4.60 episodes)
arms during the study period (P = .69). The mean duration of new RAS episodes
also was similar for the multivitamin (8.66 days) and placebo (8.99 days) arms (P
= .60). Furthermore, the authors found no differences between the two arms with
regard to mouth pain, normalcy of diet or compliance with the study medication
regimen.
CONCLUSION: Daily multivitamin supplementation, with the RDI of essential
vitamins, did not result in a reduction in the number or duration of RAS
episodes.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should not recommend multi-vitamin
supplementation routinely as prophylaxis for RAS.
|