Chronic Orofacial Pain and Systemic Disorders - A Prospective Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

BACKGROUND Orofacial pain conditions occur due to complex pathophysiology and are often associated with psychosocial comorbidities. The purpose of the study was to assess the association between orofacial pain and systemic disorders. METHODS The study was conducted in a university dental hospital setting covering patients visiting for the management of various orofacial pain conditions from October 2020 to February 2021. A total of 50 patients clinically diagnosed with chronic orofacial pain (> 3 months) were involved in the study. RESULTS In this prospective study, 50 orofacial pain patients were involved in the study and consisted of burning mouth syndrome [BMS (12 %)], orofacial neuralgia (26 %), temporomandibular disorder [TMDS (54 %)] and atypical facial pain (8 %). Chronic orofacial pain patients were more common in 21 - 30 years (30 %) with a female predilection (56 %). The most common systemic disorders were gastritis (28 %) followed by depression (17 %), diabetes mellitus (13 %). CONCLUSIONS Chronic orofacial pain has a significant impact on quality of life and daily functioning. Chronic orofacial pain is associated with systemic diseases like gastritis, depression and diabetes mellitus. A biopsychosocial approach for the diagnosis and management may address the multifactorial aetiology of orofacial pain conditions whilst limiting the economic and health-related burden. KEY WORDS Orofacial Pain, Neuropathic Pain, TMD, Gastritis, Depression, Diabetes