USE OF STEROIDS IN TREATMENT OF APHTHOUS ULCERATION

There is no evidence of alteration of incidence or duration of aphthous ulceration following the use of triamcinolone acetonide (Adcortyl-A in Orabase), Orabase, hydroxyquinoline, car-benoxolone sodium (Biobase), or betamethasone disodium phosphate (Beta-Corlan), for a period of four weeks. Depression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis can follow sublingual absorption of 0.4 mg. of betamethasone daily. There is a need for study of morbidity and mortality arising in patient populations on long-term treatment with small doses of corticosteroids. We are indebted to Dr. G. P. Crean, of the Clinical Endocrinology Research Unit, Edinburgh, for his helpful advice in respect of the steroid study. We would further express our appreciation to Squibb and Sons Ltd., who provided the Adcortyl-A in Orabase and the Orabase to Gimeo Laboratories Ltd., who provided the Beta-Corlan and placebo tablets ; and to Berk Pharmaceuticals Ltd., who provided the Biobase. The study was financed by a grant from the Squibb Institute. We are obliged to Mrs. Elspeth Semple for arranging the packing and issue of drugs according to the trial design, and to Miss Maureen Brown, who helped in the machine analysis of the records. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.