title: Evaluation of the stomatognathic system in patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of stomatognathic dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study sample consisted of 40 patients with RA (34 female, 6 male), mean age 44 years, recruited at the Rheumatology Division of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. The inclusion criteria were diagnosis of RA according to the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA). In the study, 82.5% (n=33) of patients affected by RA satisfied at least the criteria of one diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The results are in agreement with the literature and the prevalence of such involvement ranges between 53% and 94% of patients. Several studies reported an involvement of the stomatognathic system in RA. In fact, RA can affect the temporomandibular joint as much as any other synovial joint. A more thorough analysis is required for a multidisciplinary approach to gnathological patients, including assessment by a rheumatologist. This issue and its epidemiologic relevance need further scientific research. Dentistry has a fundamental role in this process since patients who present with a systemic disease such as RA can be recognized and intercepted and referred to medical specialists, i.e., rheumatologists, to provide a diagnosis and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Orthodontics and Gnathology, Dental School, University of Turin, Via Nizza 230, 10126 Torino, Italy. pietro.bracco@unito.it
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bracco
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Debernardi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Piancino
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Cirigliano
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salvetti
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bazzichi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Feo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bosco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000097:blood; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010173:Palpation; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D012218:Rheumatoid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis; D013016:Sound; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor