Symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders.
The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) between individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) and a group of age- and sex-stratified patients attending a Public Dental Service (PDS) clinic. Fifty-four individuals diagnosed with chronic WAD that were referred to a rehabilitation centre constituted the WAD group. The control group consisted of 66 patients at a PDS clinic (C group). Both groups underwent a standardised examination of the masticatory system comprising a questionnaire and a clinical examination. Eighty-nine per cent of the individuals in the WAD group had severe symptoms of TMD according to Helkimo's anamnestic index of dysfunction (A1) compared with 18% in the C group (p < 0.001). The individuals in the WAD group had also more signs of TMD. The maximum mouth opening capacity was 48 mm in the WAD group and 54 mm in the C group (p < 0.001). In the WAD group 17% had a mouth opening capacity < 40 mm compared with 2% in the C group (p < 0.05). Pain on palpation of the jaw muscles and on lateral palpation of the temporomandibular joints was more common in the WAD group (p < 0.001). Pain on mandibular mobility was reported by 30% in the WAD group and by 3% in the C group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the prevalence of TMD was higher among individuals with chronic WAD compared with an age- and sex-stratified cohort of patients in a general dental practice. The results indicate that trauma to the neck also affects temporomandibular function.
Klobas
Luciano
L
Department of Surgical Sciences, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. luciano.klobas@lul.se
Tegelberg
Ake
A
Axelsson
Susanna
S
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010173:Palpation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013016:Sound; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000150:complications*