Evaluation of the Relationship Between Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and HbA1c Levels and Recurrent Aphthous Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introdution: Diabetes mellitus, a systemic metabolic disorder, has been associated with various oral mucosal conditions, including recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between fasting blood sugar (FBS) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in patients with RAS compared to healthy individuals. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study included 60 participants: 30 patients with RAS (≥ 3 recurrences per year) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls with no history of aphthous lesions. After obtaining informed consent, fasting blood samples were collected to measure FBS and HbA1c levels. Patients with systemic diseases were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 18, including independent t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Spearman’s correlation. Results The results showed that the mean HbA1c level was significantly higher in the RAS group (5.36%) compared to the control group (4.87%) (P = 0.002), and the mean FBS level was also significantly higher in the RAS group (95.93 mg/dL vs. 85.90 mg/dL; P = 0.015). No significant difference in age or gender was observed between the two groups. Additionally, no significant association was found between the frequency of aphthous lesion recurrence and FBS or HbA1c levels (P > 0.05). Conclusion This study found that higher levels of fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c were linked to an increased likelihood of developing oral aphthous lesions. In contrast, no significant correlation was observed between these glycemic markers and the frequency of lesion occurrence. Furthermore, gender did not show a significant influence on FBS or HbA1c levels.