Utilization of pharmaceuticals among patients with temporomandibular disorders: a controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
Pharmaceuticals are among factors that might be associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), but knowledge about their utilization is limited. The purpose was to systematically register the regular use of medication in general among TMD patients and matched controls to enable comparisons to be made.


METHODS
Three hundred consecutive patients referred for diagnosis and treatment of TMDs and fulfilling the Research Diagnostic Criteria were examined prospectively and any medication recorded. Matched controls were registered parallel in time. The pharmaceuticals used were categorized according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC).


RESULTS
Forty-four percent of the patients received a main diagnosis of "muscle disorder", 39% "disk disorder", and 17% "joint disorder". Fifty-one percent of all patients used some medication on a regular basis compared to 36% of the controls (p<0.001). The average number of ATC categories used among all patients was 0.9 and among controls 0.5 (p<0.001). Of the female patients with the diagnosis "muscle disorder", 23% used antidepressants (N06A), 6% tranquilizers (N05B), and 7% sleep medication or sedatives (N05C) significantly more frequently than controls. Of the female patients diagnosed with a "joint disorder", 26% used antidepressants (N06A) significantly more frequently than controls. All other ATC categories differed non-significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the use of pharmaceuticals differs between patients and controls. TMD patients, particularly women diagnosed with "muscle" or "joint" disorders, appear to use drugs for depression more frequently than ordinary dental patients.
Johansson Cahlin
Birgitta
B
Department of Orofacial Pain, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden. birgitta.johansson-cahlin@vgregion.se
Samuelsson
Nils
N
Dahlström
Lars
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000145:classification; D001168:Arthritis / Q000145:classification; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents