RAU 的发病可能与遗传易感性相关。高达 40% 的患者具有家族病史。[1]Scully C. Clinical practice: aphthous ulceration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:165-172.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16837680?tool=bestpractice.com[8]Sircus W, Church R, Kelleher J. Recurrent aphthous ulceration of the mouth: a study of the natural history, aetiology, and treatment. Q J Med. 1957;26:235-249.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13432144?tool=bestpractice.com如果父母均患有RAU,则子女患RAU的几率为90%,如果家长均没有RAU病史,则子女患RAU的几率仅为 20%。如果患者有阳性家族史,RAU 的病情往往更严重,而且起病更早。[1]Scully C. Clinical practice: aphthous ulceration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:165-172.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16837680?tool=bestpractice.com
已有研究报道 RAU 的发病与人类白细胞抗原(human leukocyte antigen, HLA)基因的特定单倍型,尤其是 HLA-B51 有关。[9]Shohat-Zabarski R, Kalderon S, Klein T, et al. Close association of HLA-B51 in persons with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol.1992;74:455-458.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1408019?tool=bestpractice.com
没有证据表明 RAU 具有传染性。[1]Scully C. Clinical practice: aphthous ulceration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:165-172.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16837680?tool=bestpractice.com
然而,一些数据表明,[2]Scully C, Shotts R. ABC of oral health: mouth ulcers and other causes of orofacial soreness and pain. BMJ. 2000;321:162-165.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1118165/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10894697?tool=bestpractice.com血链球菌和线粒体热休克蛋白在口腔上皮内的交叉反应所引发的 T 细胞介导的炎症反应可能发挥了一定作用。[10]Hasan A, Childerstone A, Pervin K, et al. Recognition of a unique peptide epitope of the mycobacterial and human heat shock protein 65-60 antigen by T cells of patients with recurrent oral ulcers. Clin Exp Immunol. 1995;99:392-397.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1534212/pdf/clinexpimmunol00013-0084.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7533679?tool=bestpractice.com
RAU 患者通常不吸烟。与中度吸烟者相比,重度吸烟者的患病率和病情严重程度较低。[11]Tuzun B, Wolf R, Tuzun Y, et al. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and smoking. Int J Dermatol. 2000;39:358-360.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10849126?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Atkin PA, Xu X, Thornhill MH. Minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis and smoking: an epidemiological study measuring plasma cotinine. Oral Dis. 2002;8:173-176.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12108762?tool=bestpractice.com一些患者反映,溃疡发病与戒烟并行,同时有人反映重新吸烟后溃疡得到控制。吸食无烟烟草同样可显著降低溃疡患病率。含尼古丁的药片似乎也可控制阿弗他溃疡的发作频率。[13]Jurge S, Kuffer R, Scully C, et al. Mucosal disease series. Number VI. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis. 2006;12:1-21.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16390463?tool=bestpractice.com
血液中铁、叶酸和维生素 B12 缺乏在某些 RAU 患者中的发生率是健康对照者的两倍。[1]Scully C. Clinical practice: aphthous ulceration. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:165-172.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16837680?tool=bestpractice.com[13]Jurge S, Kuffer R, Scully C, et al. Mucosal disease series. Number VI. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis. 2006;12:1-21.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16390463?tool=bestpractice.com[14]Wray D, Ferguson MM, Mason DK, et al. Recurrent aphthae: treatment with vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron. BMJ. 1975;2:490-493.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1673414/pdf/brmedj01449-0042.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1148667?tool=bestpractice.com[15]Olson JA, Feinberg I, Silverman S Jr, et al. Serum vitamin B12, folate, and iron levels in recurrent aphthous ulceration. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1982;54: 517-520.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6960305?tool=bestpractice.com
有些患者的溃疡发作期与其月经周期的黄体期相吻合,通常在口服避孕药期间或妊娠期会得到缓解。[13]Jurge S, Kuffer R, Scully C, et al. Mucosal disease series. Number VI. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis. 2006;12:1-21.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16390463?tool=bestpractice.com
在易感人群中,局部创伤可诱发溃疡。[13]Jurge S, Kuffer R, Scully C, et al. Mucosal disease series. Number VI. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis. 2006;12:1-21.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16390463?tool=bestpractice.com[16]Wray D, Graykowski EA, Notkins AL. Role of mucosal injury in initiating recurrent aphthous stomatitis. BMJ (Clin Res Ed). 1981;283:1569-1570.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1508035/pdf/bmjcred00689-0015.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6796169?tool=bestpractice.com据报告,某些 RAU 患者焦虑程度增高。[13]Jurge S, Kuffer R, Scully C, et al. Mucosal disease series. Number VI. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis. 2006;12:1-21.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16390463?tool=bestpractice.com[17]McCartan BE, Lamey PJ, Wallace AM. Salivary cortisol and anxiety in recurrent aphthous stomatitis. J Oral Pathol Med. 1996;25:357-359.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8890048?tool=bestpractice.com
RAU 在牛奶喂养的儿童中可能更常见。[18]McCullough MJ, Abdel-Hafeth S, Scully C. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis revisited: clinical features, associations, and new association with infant feeding practices? J Oral Pathol Med. 2007;36:615-620.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17944755?tool=bestpractice.com据报道,某些食物(如巧克力、花生、咖啡和麸质产品)可诱发 RAU。[3]Scully C, Gorsky M, Lozada-Nur F. The diagnosis and management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a consensus approach. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003;134:200-207.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12636124?tool=bestpractice.com据报道,使用含十二烷硫酸钠 (sodium lauryl sulphate, SLS) 的牙膏可能与 RAU 发生频率增加有关,但是其他研究未发现此种关联。[19]Healy CM, Paterson M, Joyston-Bechal S, et al. The effect of a sodium lauryl sulfate-free dentifrice on patients with recurrent oral ulceration. Oral Dis. 1999;5:39-43.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10218040?tool=bestpractice.com