Pain severity trajectory and influencing factors in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a latent variable growth mixture model

By
Hu Ruping
Song Hongjie
July 7, 2026
0 min

Frontiers In Pain Research

Overview

This study identifies three distinct pain intensity trajectories in children with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and analyzes the factors influencing these trajectories. The findings highlight the heterogeneity in pain experiences among pediatric patients with RAS.

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a prevalent oral mucosal disease in children, often leading to significant pain and discomfort. Understanding the pain intensity trajectories can aid in identifying high-risk patients and tailoring interventions. This study addresses the gap in research regarding the longitudinal pain characteristics in children with RAS.

Data Highlights

Category	Number of Cases	Percentage
High pain level relief type	68	34.00%
Moderate pain level improvement type	82	41.00%
Low pain level stable type	50	25.00%

Key Findings

The pain intensity trajectories in children with RAS can be categorized into three types: high pain level relief, moderate pain level improvement, and low pain level stable.
Independent influencing factors for the high pain relief type include ulcer size, number of ulcers, ulcer type, frequency of attacks, and picky eating.
For the moderate pain level improvement type, influencing factors include ulcer classification, frequency of attacks, and picky eating.
The study utilized a latent variable growth mixture model to analyze pain trajectories over time.
Data were collected from 200 children treated for RAS at a hospital between September 2023 and June 2025.

Clinical Implications

Identifying the specific factors influencing pain trajectories in children with RAS can help clinicians develop targeted management strategies. Understanding these trajectories may also assist in recognizing high-risk patients who may require more intensive interventions.

Conclusion

The study reveals significant heterogeneity in pain trajectories among children with RAS, influenced by various clinical factors. These insights can inform better pain management approaches in pediatric populations.