CLINICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa characterized by painful recurrent ulcerative lesions. Despite its high prevalence, the exact etiopathogenesis of the disease remains incompletely understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and determine the significance of local inflammatory factors in disease progression. The study included 40 patients with clinically confirmed RAS who underwent стоматological and laboratory examination. Increased inflammatory markers, altered salivary pH, and microbial imbalance were significantly associated with recurrent ulcer formation. Statistical analysis revealed a strong correlation between ulcer severity and inflammatory activity (r = 0.69; p <0.001). The findings confirm the important role of local immune dysfunction and microbial disturbances in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.