Evaluation of Hematological Parameters in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common and often painful oral mucosal condition. While its exact etiology remains unclear, hematological deficiencies particularly of folate, vitamin B12, and iron are increasingly recognized as potential contributing factors. Objective: To investigate the pattern of hematological parameters among patients diagnosed with RAS. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Oral Medicine Department, Saidu College of Dentistry, including 175 consecutively selected patients with clinically diagnosed RAS. Individuals with systemic illnesses or other oral pathologies influencing hematological status were excluded. Demographic data and hematological markers hematocrit (Hct), serum vitamin B12, serum ferritin, serum folate, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were assessed using automated hematology analyzers and immunoassay techniques. Descriptive statistics were computed, and associations were evaluated using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 24.85 ± 4.26 years; 55.4% were female. Hematological deficiencies were prevalent: low Hct in 38.3%, low ferritin in 32.6%, folate deficiency in 53.7%, and vitamin B12 deficiency in 44.6%. Folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies were more common in females, though not statistically significant. A significant association was found between vitamin B12 deficiency and lower socioeconomic status (p<0.001); other parameters showed no socioeconomic correlation. Conclusion: Hematological deficiencies, particularly of folate and vitamin B12, are common in patients with RAS. The significant association of vitamin B12 deficiency with low socioeconomic status underscores the importance of targeted nutritional education and dietary interventions in RAS management. Keywords: Aphthous, Folic Acid Deficiency, Hematologic Tests, Stomatitis, Socioeconomic Factors, Vitamin B12 Deficiency.