Prevention of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Using Vitamins

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this research study is to find out if taking a multivitamin daily can affect the number of canker sores that people get and how long they last. Previous studies have shown that people who get canker sores are more likely to be deficient in one or more vitamins. It has also been found that correction of such vitamin deficiencies reduces the number and duration of canker sores. However, it is not known if taking a multivitamin daily will reduce the number and duration of canker sores.

Official Title
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Prevention of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Using Vitamins

Conditions
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Aphthous Stomatitis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: multivitamin


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients willing and able to provide written informed consent for the study Patients with a history of at least three episodes of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) within the past one year Exclusion Criteria: Patients with a history of other forms of RAS (major, herpetiform) Patients who will be using any other vitamins/supplements during the study or those who have used any vitamins/supplements on a regular basis during the 90 days immediately preceding enrollment onto the study (regular use is defined as continuous daily use for at least a two week period) Patients who are under the age of 18 Women who are pregnant or nursing or those who plan to become pregnant Patients with a history of gout, kidney stones or iron overload disease Patients who currently smoke tobacco products Patients who are former smokers who have quit smoking within the past 30 days Patients with sulfite allergy Patients with a history of any systemic condition associated with oral ulceration. These include: Behcet's syndrome, Sweet's syndrome, Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, HIV infection/AIDS, cyclic neutropenia and PFAPA syndrome (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis) Patients on medications commonly associated with causing oral ulceration. These include nicorandil, methotrexate and chemotherapeutic agents used for cancer. Patients using oral topical anti-inflammatory agents during the course of the study Patients who plan to use any products specifically for management of RAS lesions Patients who are routinely using agents that could have an impact on duration of RAS lesions (e.g., antibacterial mouthrinses) Patients receiving any other investigational agent during the course of ths study Patients with any other condition that might preclude participation in the study in the opinion of the study investigators

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: I - Multivitamin<br>The multivitamin will contain 100% of the US reference daily intakes (recommended daily amounts) of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, and E. It also contains several inactive ingredients including sodium bisulfite and gelatin. | Dietary Supplement: multivitamin<br>* Subject will be asked to take a multivitamin capsule or a placebo (inactive pill) once a day for one year. There will be an equal chance of getting the multivitamin or the placebo.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: II - Inactive Medication<br>The placebo will be a gelatin capsule filled with lactose. | Dietary Supplement: multivitamin<br>* Subject will be asked to take a multivitamin capsule or a placebo (inactive pill) once a day for one year. There will be an equal chance of getting the multivitamin or the placebo.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual number and average duration of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (canker sores) episodes |  | one year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain due to recurrent aphthous stomatitis (canker sores); impact of recurrent aphthous stomatitis on ability to consume a normal diet |  | one year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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aphthous stomatitis, canker sores, multivitamins, vitamin deficiency