| Summary: | Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common inflammatory condition affecting the oral mucosa causing interference with mastication and speech with significant impact on quality of life. The use of topical steroids remains the mainstay as the primary therapeutic approach and they are often considered to be the first choice of treatment. Turmeric has been used in the Indian traditional medicine for centuries. Its anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities are demonstrated by the rapid healing of the ulcers. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess and correlate pain score with ulcer size using topical curcumin 2% gel and triamcinolone acetonide oral paste 0.12% in recurrent minor oral aphthous ulcerations. Methodology: Following convenient sampling, 60 volunteered students with oral aphthous ulcers were included to take part in this single-blinded randomised study. Randomization was done by flip coin method. Group I received Topical Curcumin oral gel 2% and Group II received Topical Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1%. Statistical Analysis: Qualitative data was expressed in percentage and quantitative in mean (SD). Independent sample t test and correlation was done. Results: The ulcer size was smaller initially and gradually increased in the next few days and the size decreased upon ulcer healing. Initially, the pain score was higher and gradually decreased as the ulcer healed. Positive correlation of ulcer size and pain score was obtained in Group I on the 1st day, 4th day and 5th day with statistical significance of P < 0.001 and negative correlation on 2nd day without statistical significance. Ulcer size and pain score in Group II was correlated negatively on Day 1, 2, 6 and 7 without statistical significance and positively correlated from Day 3-5 without statistical significance. Ulcer size and pain score was negatively correlated with statistical significance for Day 6 and 7. Conclusion: Our study showed that Curcumin performed on par with triamcinolone and there is no positive correlation between ulcer size and pain score with topical management of Curcumin and Triamcinolone in aphthous ulcers. Though both the drug was effectively able to bring down the pain and size without any side effects, with a borderline favorable result with steroid.
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