title: Smallest detectable differences in clinical functional temporomandibular joint examination variables in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis in juvenile patients may interfere with optimal joint function and mouth opening patterns. Clinical assessment of maximal mouth opening capacity, laterotrusion and protrusion is critical to TMJ arthritis diagnosis, treatment choice and evaluation of a therapeutic intervention. The aim of the study was to determine the smallest minimal threshold at which differences in maximal mouth opening capacity, laterotrusion, and protrusion between two consecutive observations can be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Orthodontics, University of Aarhus, Denmark. Forty-two consecutive patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two experienced dentists used a calibrated metallic ruler to measure maximal mouth opening capacity, laterotrusion, and protrusion. Each measurement was carried out thrice by each observer. Intra- and inter-observer variation and the smallest detectable difference were calculated for each variable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The smallest detectable differences were as follows: maximal mouth opening capacity 4.9 mm, laterotrusion 2.4 mm, and protrusion 2.8 mm (one observer and one measurement). These differences declined when measurements were repeated; maximal mouth opening capacity 3.3 mm, laterotrusion 1.4 mm, and protrusion 1.8 mm (two observers with three measurements each). We found no support for a relationship between measurement variation and patient age, measurement variation and TMJ pain, or between measurement variation and previous/current TMJ arthritis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of the implementation of a standardized measurement protocol is emphasized including repeated measurements to reduce the smallest detectable difference.
authors: Section of Orthodontics, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark. pstoustrup@odont.au.dk
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Stoustrup
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Verna
authors: K D
authors: KD
authors: Kristensen
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Küseler
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Herlin
authors: T K
authors: TK
authors: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002138:Calibration; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004056:Differential Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents
keywords: arthritis; examination; juvenile idiopathic arthritis; mouth opening; temporomandibular joint