Emotional aspects of chronic orofacial pain and surgical treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the psychological factors of chronic orofacial pain patients regarding hospitalization for surgical treatment.


METHODS
We evaluated 30 patients (15 with temporomandibular disorder and 15 with trigeminal neuralgia) of three groups: 10 were hospitalized for surgery, 10 were newly diagnosed, and 10 had been clinically treated. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Eighty percent reported lack of family support, 90% had important limitations in daily activities, and social aspects were the most affected (34%). Patients who were hospitalized for surgery had the highest degree of anxiety and expectation (90%; p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery for chronic pain generates great expectations especially because it is considered a hope of cure. Clinically treated patients also might understand the factors associated to surgery choices and participate at the process of choosing. In general, chronic treatment for facial pain needs psychological support to cope with it.
Castro
A R
AR
Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Siqueira
S R D T
SR
Perissinotti
D M N
DM
Teixeira
M J
MJ
Siqueira
J T T
JT
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004644:Emotions; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*