ORAL HEALTH EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE PROGRAM
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Title Omega 3 Appears to be Effective in the Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS)
Clinical Question Is omega 3 efficient in treating healthy adult patients who have RAS?
Clinical Bottom Line For patients who have RAS, taking 1 capsule of omega 3 (200 mg of DHA and 300 mg of EPA fatty acids) 3 times a day, showed a significant improvement in their Oral Health Impact Profile 14 Questionnaire, mean number of monthly ulcer outbreaks, and mean values of duration of ulcers compared to a placebo. The prescribed dosing is well within the dosing levels generally considered safe by the American Heart Association.
Best Evidence (you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link)
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type
(level of evidence)
#1) 24268387El khouli/201450 patients Randomized Controlled Trial
Key resultsKey Results At the 6-month follow up, researchers found a significant improvement in the mean total of the total Oral Health Impact Profile 14 Questionnaire scores (P<.01), mean number of monthly ulcer outbreaks (P<.001), and mean values of duration of ulcers (P<.001) in the patients treated with omega 3 compared to placebo.
Evidence Search ("Stomatitis, Aphthous"[Mesh]) AND "Fatty Acids, Omega-3"[Mesh]
Comments on
The Evidence
Validity This randomized controlled trial had a 50 patient pool, split in to 2 parallel groups. The double blind groups consisted of a placebo group and a treatment group. The patients had monthly follow-ups and all 50 patients completed the study. Perspective Patient pool excluded individuals who had concurrent clinical conditions that could pose a health risks, including serious heart, liver, or kidney dysfunctions; pregnancy or lactation; ulcers as a manifestation of systemic disorders such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, Behçet syndrome, or serious anemia. Data from base-line testing for anemia was not indicated. This therapy was a capsule taken 3 times daily and this research was conducted over 6 months. Results weren’t seen until after 3 months. This study has small sample size and has yet to be replicated. Though interesting, the single study is not sufficient to be fully endorsed.
Applicability The patient pool reflects potential patients that could be seen in any dental office. Treatment strategies to manage RAS include both OTC and prescription agents. Therapeutic results remain widely variable. The treatment discussed here is very cost efficient and accessible but patient compliance may be an issue. For patients who are willing to commit to the treatment regime, this appears to be a first-line therapeutic option worth attempting.
Specialty/Discipline (Oral Medicine/Pathology/Radiology) (General Dentistry)
Keywords Aphthous Stomatitis, Omega 3, Fatty Acids
ID# 2829
Date of submission: 03/29/2015spacer
E-mail tranj@livemail.uthscsa.edu
Author Jennifer Tran
Co-author(s)
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor/Co-author Michaell Huber, DDS
Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail HuberM@uthscsa.edu
Basic Science Rationale
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