Investigation of Serum CRP Levels in People with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Background: Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is a common, painful condition marked by recurrentoral ulcers, impacting quality of life. Its etiology is unclear but involves genetics, immune dysregulation, andenvironmental factors. This study explores the link between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and RASto assess the role of systemic inflammation. Methods: In a cross-sectional study design, we enrolled 26 participants diagnosed with RAS according toestablished diagnostic criteria alongside a control group of 26 healthy individuals matched for age and gen-der. Serum CRP levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods, anddemographic, clinical, and lifestyle data were collected through structured questionnaires. We employedstatistical analyses, including t-tests and regression models, to assess the association between serum CRPlevels and the frequency and duration of RAS. Results: Our findings reveal significantly elevated serum CRP levels in individuals with RAS compared tohealthy controls (p<0.04), indicating a potential link between systemic inflammation and the pathophysiol-ogy of RAS. Additionally, elevated CRP levels were associated with increased ulcer severity and prolongedhealing time. Multivariate analyses further demonstrated that serum CRP could serve as an independentpredictor of RAS severity, highlighting its potential role as a biomarker for disease activity. Conclusion: Our investigation provides compelling evidence that systemic inflammation, as indicated byelevated serum CRP levels, is associated with RAS.