High association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa. Oral ulcers are also the most common feature of Behçet’s disease (BD). Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism with BD has been reported in Turkish population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and RAS, and evaluate if there was an association with clinical features in a relatively large cohort of Turkish patients. The study included 198 patients affected by RAS and 214 healthy controls. ACE gene I/D polymorphism genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction with I and D allele-specific primers. The genotype and allele frequencies of I/D polymorphism showed statistically significant differences between RAS patients and controls (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). After stratifying RAS patients according to clinical and demographical characteristics, no significant association was observed. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene was positively associated with predisposition to develop RAS in Turkish population. Further studies with larger populations are recommended.