The effect of omega-3 on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review

Otília Lopes; Manuela Dias; José Bulhosa

doi:10.62741/ahrj.v2i3.34

Authors

Otília Lopes Fernando Pessoa University
Manuela Dias FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal
José Bulhosa FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62741/ahrj.v2i3.34

Keywords:

current aphthous stomatitis, omega-3, treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity affecting approximately 5 to 25% of the general population. Recently, studies on the beneficial effects of omega-3s have arisen, as they have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory characteristics. This review´s aim was to answer the clinical question, "Do omega-3 fatty acids improve the signs and symptoms of recurrent aphthous stomatitis?".

Methodology: The review was registered in PROSPERO and was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The literature research was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Livivo, Lilacs, and Google Scholar in March 2022 and the articles considered were published between 2012 and 2022. The risk of bias of the included studies was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2.

Results: Omega-3 supplementation decreased the average monthly number of ulcers at 6 months of supplementation and from 3 months onwards the ulcers persisted for less time. There was a reduction in ulcer size and ulcer recurrence at 6 months in two of the studies. With regard to pain, it has improved after 6 months of supplementation.

Conclusions: Supplementation with omega-3 appears to have therapeutic potential in the control of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

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