BACKGROUND/AIMS

To evaluate the use of red blood cell distribution width (RDW), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as diagnostic markers in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

MATERIAL and METHODS

The retrospective case-control study included a patient group of 51 RAS patients a control group of 51 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals. RAS and control groups were determined as two groups. Complete blood counts were registered from patients' medical records. RDW, MPV, PDW, NLR, and PLR were recorded for each subject and were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Mean RDW was 15.66±2.03 in the RAS group and 14.86±1.44 in the control group (p=0.026). Mean PDW was 15.44±2.86 in the RAS group and 14.42±1.69 in the control group (p=0.032). Mean MPV was 8.82±0.87 in the RAS group and 8.42±0.56 in the control group (p=0.007). Mean NLR was 1.94±0.74 in the RAS group and 1.80±0.80 in the control group (p=0.374). Mean PLR was 119.49±36.58 in the RAS group and 121.98±32.96 in the control group (p=0.718). Only RDW, PDW, and MPV values were significantly higher in the RAS group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

The results indicated that both NLR and PLR cannot be considered as valuable parameters for routine diagnosis and in the prediction of prognosis in RAS patients. Increased RDW, PDW, and MPV values could have a diagnostic value in RAS patients. Accordingly, it is wise to consider that inflammation, thrombosis and acute hypoxic ischemia should be prioritized in the etiology of RAS.

Keywords: Erythrocyte, lymphocyte, mean platelet volume, neutrophil, recurrent aphthous stomatitis