Anne-Marie Nilsson1, Lars Dahlström. 1. Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Specialist Center Uddevalla Hospital, Uddevalla, Sweden. annmarie.i.nilsson@vgregion.se
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess any differences in psychological and endocrine variables between homogeneous core groups of young women with well-defined muscle- or disk-related temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and matched controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen women, aged 18-24 years, fulfilling the TMD Research Diagnostic Criteria I a/b (but not II or III) and 15 fulfilling the II a/b and III criteria were consecutively selected from referrals to an orofacial pain/TMD clinic. Thirty consecutive healthy age-matched women attending yearly routine check-ups at a general dental clinic served as controls. All 60 subjects answered a questionnaire, the Profile of Fatigue Related Symptoms (PFRS), and salivary samples on waking were collected for analysis of cortisol levels. RESULTS: Symptom duration and pain levels were similar irrespective of muscle- or disk-related symptoms. Both diagnostic groups obtained scores that were similar and significantly higher than those of controls in all four scales of the PFRS: fatigue, emotional distress, cognitive difficulties and somatic symptoms. Salivary cortisol levels on waking did not differ between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TMDs, irrespective of diagnosis, appeared to be more psychologically distressed than controls evaluated psychometrically, which is in line with earlier findings. A corresponding difference was not reflected in a single measurement of morning salivary cortisol. A more comprehensive evaluation of endocrine variables is probably necessary to reveal whether any differences actually exist in this respect.
OBJECTIVE: To assess any differences in psychological and endocrine variables between homogeneous core groups of young women with well-defined muscle- or disk-related temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and matched controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen women, aged 18-24 years, fulfilling the TMD Research Diagnostic Criteria I a/b (but not II or III) and 15 fulfilling the II a/b and III criteria were consecutively selected from referrals to an orofacial pain/TMD clinic. Thirty consecutive healthy age-matched women attending yearly routine check-ups at a general dental clinic served as controls. All 60 subjects answered a questionnaire, the Profile of Fatigue Related Symptoms (PFRS), and salivary samples on waking were collected for analysis of cortisol levels. RESULTS: Symptom duration and pain levels were similar irrespective of muscle- or disk-related symptoms. Both diagnostic groups obtained scores that were similar and significantly higher than those of controls in all four scales of the PFRS: fatigue, emotional distress, cognitive difficulties and somatic symptoms. Salivary cortisol levels on waking did not differ between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with TMDs, irrespective of diagnosis, appeared to be more psychologically distressed than controls evaluated psychometrically, which is in line with earlier findings. A corresponding difference was not reflected in a single measurement of morning salivary cortisol. A more comprehensive evaluation of endocrine variables is probably necessary to reveal whether any differences actually exist in this respect.