Oro-facial pain in the community: prevalence and associated impact.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of oro-facial pain (OFP) in the population and within-population subgroups and to describe the associated disability.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population study.


METHODS
General medical practice in South East Cheshire, United Kingdom.


METHODS
A random sample of 4000 adults aged 18-65 years of whom 2504 responded (adjusted participation rate 74%).


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of OFP was 26% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 24%, 28%). The prevalence of symptoms was higher in women (30%) than in men (21%) and in both sexes the highest (30%) prevalence was found in the 18-25 year age group and the lowest (22%) in the 56-65 age group. Of all the participants, 12% had pain in or around the eyes, 10% reported pain in and around the temples, 6% pain in front of the ears and 6% pain in the jaw joints. Only 46% of the participants with OFP had sought professional advice from a dentist or general medical practitioner and 17% had to take time off work or were unable to carry out normal activities because of pain.


CONCLUSIONS
OFP is a common symptom experienced by a quarter of the adult population, of whom only 46% seek treatment. The prevalence is higher in women and younger age groups.
Macfarlane
Tatiana V
TV
Turner Dental School, The University of Manchester and Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Central Manchester Healthcare Trust, Manchester, UK. Tatiana.Macfarlane@man.ac.uk
Blinkhorn
Anthony S
AS
Davies
Robin M
RM
Kincey
John
J
Worthington
Helen V
HV
D000041:Absenteeism; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs