Epidemiology of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

描述(申请人提供)：背景：复发性口腔炎(RAS)是美国最常见的口腔炎症性溃疡性疾病。RAS的发病机制尚不清楚。遗传和环境风险因素被认为起到了一定作用。我们对RAS的人口分布的初步分析表明，这种情况在墨西哥裔美国人中的患病率更高。然而，到目前为止，还没有对该人群中RAS的遗传和环境风险因素进行详细分析。方法：我们将进行病例对照研究，通过问卷调查和临床检查收集流行病学数据，以确定德克萨斯州南部墨西哥裔美国人群体中RAS的危险因素(特定目标1)。我们将对RAS和对照组织中的基因表达进行初步研究，以收集关于基质金属蛋白酶(MMPs)及其抑制物(即MMPs和生长抑素的组织抑制物)以及与MMPs相关的细胞因子在RAS发病机制中的作用的初步数据(特定目标2)。最后，我们将储存通过问卷调查、检查、抽血和活检组织的基因表达分析收集的数据和DNA，以促进未来RAS的遗传流行病学研究(特定目标3)。结果/益处：这是RAS的一系列遗传流行病学研究的第一项研究。病例对照研究将提供有关环境、社会经济和宿主相关风险因素对RAS的作用的重要信息。这项先导性研究将提供有关MMPs及其抑制物、MMPs相关细胞因子和其他基因在RAS发病机制中作用的新的初步数据。总而言之，这项研究的结果和银行数据将构成未来流行病学研究的重要基础，旨在了解环境和遗传风险因素对RAS的综合作用。与公共卫生相关：这项研究旨在了解痛苦的复发性口腔溃疡(溃烂疮)的原因，这是未知的。了解溃烂疮的原因可以为受这种情况影响的患者提供更好的治疗。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common inflammatory ulcerative disease of the oral cavity in the United States. The etiopathogenesis of RAS is unknown. Genetic and environmental risk factors are thought to play a role. Our preliminary analyses of the demographic distribution of RAS indicate that the prevalence of this condition is higher in Mexican-Americans. However, no detailed analyses have been conducted thus far on genetic and environmental risk factors for RAS in this population. Methods: We will conduct a case-control study to collect epidemiologic data through questionnaires and clinical examinations to determine risk factors for RAS in a South Texas population with a large Mexican-American ethnic group (Specific Aim #1). We will conduct a pilot study of gene expression in RAS and control tissue to gather preliminary data on the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their inhibitors (i.e., tissue inhibitors of MMPs and somatostatin), and MMP-related cytokines in the pathogenesis of RAS (Specific Aim #2). Lastly, we will bank data and DNA collected through questionnaires, examinations, blood drawing, and gene expression analyses of biopsy tissue to facilitate future genetic epidemiologic studies of RAS (Specific Aim #3). Outcome/Benefit: This is the first study of a series of genetic epidemiologic studies of RAS. The case- control study will provide important information on the role of environmental, socio-economic, and host- related risk factors for RAS. The pilot study will provide new preliminary data on the role of MMPs, their inhibitors, MMP-related cytokines, and other genes in the pathogenesis of RAS. Collectively, the results of this research and the banked data will constitute an important foundation for future epidemiologic studies aimed at understanding the combined role of environmental and genetic risk factors for RAS. Relevance to Public Health: This study is aimed at understanding the cause of painful recurrent mouth ulcers (canker sores), which is unknown. Understanding the cause of canker sores can lead to better treatments for patients affected by this condition.