title: Preliminary longitudinal report on symptom outcomes in symptomatic and asymptomatic women with imaging evidence of temporomandibular joint arthritic changes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this preliminary, longitudinal, and explorative cohort study were to assess changes in and the onset of osteoarthrosis (OA)-related pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to address factors that might impact the development or reduction of associated pain symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this sex-matched study, 60 women were recruited (30 asymptomatic with a magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] diagnosis of OA-related TMJ changes, 30 symptomatic with accompanying MRI evidence of OA of the TMJ). All subjects underwent a baseline clinical examination and MRI assessment and were subsequently referred to a dental practitioner, who was informed of the diagnosis and further treatment where required. Not all subjects underwent dental treatment interventions. Following a mean 4-year period, subjects were reexamined clinically. Spearman rank correlation and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate possible correlations in reported pain level changes with the number of posterior occlusal contacts and new dental restorations placed between baseline and recall appointments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dropout rate was 28% (6.7% for symptomatic, 50% for asymptomatic). OA-related TMJ pain in symptomatic subjects decreased with time (pain reduction: ?3.6 ± 3.4 on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale); asymptomatic patients rarely developed pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results suggest that factors other than dental occlusion might play a role in the reduction of pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, Heidelberg, Germany. Marc_Schmitter@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmitter
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wacker
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pritsch
authors.forename: Nikolas Nikitas
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klose
authors.forename: Clovis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Faggion
authors.forename: Bodo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kress
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leckel
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rammelsberg
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003442:Crowns; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult