Social impairment of individuals suffering from different types of chronic orofacial pain

Abstract

BackgroundThe daily life of patients suffering from orofacial pain is considerably impaired as compared to healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different categories of orofacial pain on the habitual life of adult individuals.MethodsSeven hundred eighty-one individuals with orofacial pain were recruited from an initial sample of 1,058 patients. All the individuals were allocated to groups according to their diagnosis: myofascial pain (group A, 676 subjects, 525 females and 151 males; mean age ± SD = 35.2 ± 12.6), migraine (group B, 39 subjects, 29 females and 10 males; mean age ± SD 36.0 ± 10.7), and both myofascial pain and migraine (group C, 66 subjects, 56 females and 10 males, mean age ± SD = 35.6 ± 10.8). Characteristic pain intensity (CPI), disability days (DD), disability score (DS), and graded chronic pain intensity (GCPS) were calculated according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) axis II. Depression and somatization (nonspecific physical symptoms) scores were also calculated.ResultsA significant association between groups and GCPS categories was found (p < 0.0001). Post hoc tests showed a significant difference between groups A and B and between A and C, but not between B and C. In group A, the most frequent GCPS score was grade II. The most frequent GCPS score in groups B and C was grade III, indicating a moderate limiting impairment. This score was more frequent in group B (41%) than in the other groups (group A = 20.6%, group C = 34.8%). GCPS grade IV was more frequent in group C (19.7%) than in the other groups. Group C had significantly higher scores for nonspecific physical symptoms than group A (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMyofascial pain and migraine sensibly affect the common daily life of adult individuals. The comorbidity of both conditions determines a major impairment.

Biopsychosocial factors of Axis II of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders in individuals with muscular temporomandibular disorder and migraine

“…In addition, the presence of primary headache together with TMD negatively influences the management of TMD 21 . The association between severe depression and non-specific physical symptoms and group II observed in this study is in line with an Italian study which has shown that when there is muscle TMD and migraine, there is major impairment of the psychological status of individuals, determining high levels of somatization 22 . By identifying modifiable behavioral factors, such as stress or diet handling, in addition to the evaluation of genetic, environmental, social and cultural factors involved in the relationship between TMD and migraine, this might be prevented with management strategies for both conditions 5 .…”

Gender differences in temporomandibular disorders in adult populational studies: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Regarding large sample studies (N ≥ 300) in TMD seeking treatment (ie institutional or clinical) patients which have also used the RDC/TMD Axis I or II within the last 10 years, we have found interesting results. The sample among the reviewed studies has ranged from 308 to 3263 TMD patients, the mean age has varied from 19 to 44 years, and the proportion of women has varied from 57.3%‐88% . This yields odds ranging approximately from 3:1 to 9:1, which is substantially larger than what we have found among non‐TMD population‐based sample in this study, that is, odds of 2:1.…”

Prevalence and characteristics of orofacial pain in university students

“…Most studies report that about a quarter of the population had orofacial pain at least once during the previous 6 months (2-4,7). The prevalence and characteristics of pain are determined by demographic, economic, and psychosocial factors (e.g., current stress level, sensitivity, mood, fear, and psychophysical and mental states) (15).…”