Development of temporomandibular disorders is associated with greater bodily pain experience
From: Clin J Pain. 2010 Feb;26(2):116-20
The aim of this study is to examine the difference in the report of bodily pain experienced by patients who develop temporomandibular disorders and by those who do not develop temporomandibular disorders over a 3-year observation period.
This is a 3-year prospective study of 266 females aged 18 to 34 years initially free of temporomandibular disorders pain. All patients completed the Symptom Report Questionnaire (SRQ) at baseline and yearly intervals, and at the time they developed temporomandibular disorders (if applicable). The SRQ is a self-report instrument evaluating the extent and location of pain experienced in the earlier 6 months. Statistical analysis was carried out using repeated measures ANOVA.
Over the 3-year period, 16 patients developed temporomandibular disorders based on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders. Participants who developed temporomandibular disorders reported more headaches, muscle soreness or pain, joint soreness or pain, back pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, and menstrual pain than Participants who did not develop temporomandibular disorders at both the baseline and final visits. Participants who developed temporomandibular disorders also reported significantly more headache, muscle soreness or pain, and other pains when they were diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders compared with the baseline visit.
The development of temporomandibular disorders was accompanied by increases in headaches, muscle soreness or pain, and other pains that were not observed in the Participants who did not develop temporomandibular disorders. Participants who developed temporomandibular disorders also report higher experience of joint, back, chest, and menstrual pain at baseline.
