Questionnaire Study on Impact of Stress and lifestyle on Recurrent Oral Ulcer

Abstract

Background and Rationale:

Oral ulcers, or recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), are painful and recurring mouth sores that can be debilitating. While their exact cause is complex, they are frequently linked to factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, nutritional deficiencies (specifically Vitamin B), and the consumption of acidic or spicy foods. This study utilizes a systematic quantitative approach to move beyond anecdotal reports and identify statistically significant predictors of ulcer recurrence, duration, and severity.

Objectives:

The primary goal of this statistical analysis is to investigate the relationship between self-reported lifestyle and psychological factors and oral ulcer outcomes. Specific objectives include characterizing the study population, identifying bivariate correlates (such as stress levels and acidic food consumption), and employing multivariate modelling to isolate the independent effects of various risk factors while controlling for age and gender.

Methodology:

The analysis utilizes survey data encompassing demographics, perceived stress, sleep habits, and dietary patterns. Data preparation involves numerical coding, handling missing data through listwise deletion, and checking for parametric assumptions like normality and homogeneity of variance. The analytical strategy includes:

• Descriptive Statistics: Reporting means, medians, standard deviations, and frequency tables to summarize the sample.


• Bivariate Analysis: Using Independent Samples t-tests (or Mann-Whitney U tests), Pearson's Chi- Square, and Spearman’s Rank Correlation to examine single relationships between variables.


• Multivariate Modelling: Applying Ordinal Logistic Regression to determine the relative importance of multiple predictors on ulcer frequency and pain levels, reported via Odds Ratios (OR) with a 0.05 significance level.

Expected Outcomes and Implications:

The study aims to produce evidence-based conclusions to guide clinical and self-care recommendations. By identifying the most significant predictors—such as daily stress or sleep patterns—the findings will inform targeted interventions like stress management and dietary modifications to reduce the burden of recurrentoral ulcers.