Oral mucosal diseases and psychosocial factors: progress in related neurobiological mechanisms

Abstract

The aetiology of oral mucosal diseases, such as recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU), oral lichen planus (OLP) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS), involves many factors, and it remains difficult for clinicians to effectively relieve disease symptoms and formulate coping strategies. With the rapid development of psychology, the role of mental and psychological factors in RAU, OLP and BMS has gradually attracted researchers attention, but the specific mechanism has not been completely determined. This narrative review describes the potential neurobiological mechanism of oral mucosal diseases and detailed psychological factors after introducing relevant research into psychological factors and oral mucosal diseases. Future research strategies and innovations needed to understand and treat oral mucosal diseases and psychological factors, as well as how to prevent oral mucosal diseases by regulation of the neuroendocrine system, are also discussed.

Keywords: Anxiety; Burning mouth syndrome; Depression; Neuroendocrine dysfunction; Oral lichen planus; Oral mucosal disease; Psychological factors; Recurrent aphthous ulcer.

Figure 1.

Schematic showing the effects of stress on the neuroendocrine and immune system of the body, and the associated induction of oral mucosal diseases. ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone; CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone; DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; GnRH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone; NK, natural killer; PRL, prolactin. Figure created with BioRender.com.