RAU 主要在儿童时期和成年早期多发,某些病例会随着年龄增长自然缓解。如果类似溃疡在人生的较后期出现或伴有发热或全身性疾病,则可能是阿弗他样溃疡,而非阿弗他溃疡。
RAS 是最常见的特发性口腔溃疡性疾病。[4]Baccaglini L, Lalla RV, Bruce AJ, et al. Urban legends: recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis. 2011;17:755-770.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3192917/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21812866?tool=bestpractice.com一些研究表明,RAS 好发于女性、<40 岁、不吸烟者和社会经济地位高的人群。[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[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.comRAU 在全世界均可见,累及超过 25% 的人口。[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[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[5]Scully C, Felix DH. Oral medicine - update for the dental practitioner. Aphthous and other common ulcers. Br Dent J. 2005;199:259-264.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16155535?tool=bestpractice.com数据表明,美国白人中 RAS 更常见,发生率为非洲裔美国人的 3 倍。[6]Scully C, Porter S. Oral mucosal disease: recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008;46:198-206.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17850936?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Kleinman DV, Swango PA, Pindborg JJ. Epidemiology of oral mucosal lesions in United States schoolchildren: 1986-87. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1994;22:243-253.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7924239?tool=bestpractice.com