title: Quality of life: patient-reported outcomes after total replacement of the temporomandibular joint.
abstract: Since publication of the UK guidelines on total replacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in 2008 by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS), pain scores, mouth opening, and diet have been used as markers of success. We have looked at quality of life (QoL) as another. We analysed the data from a single surgeon on patients who had had joints replaced and devised a questionnaire to find out about the subjective, functional, psychological, and social aspects of TMJ disease. A total of 18 patients who had the same operation were included (mean (range) age 50 (33 - 73) years, mean (range) follow up 30 (18 - 48) months). Jaw function and facial aesthetics had improved, and patients needed less analgesia. Overall, they reported a better QoL with improvements in mood and social interaction, and the activities of daily life were easier. The NHS uses QoL questionnaires to measure success in fields such as orthopaedic surgery, but currently we know of no nationally accepted questionnaire that measures success after total replacement of the TMJ.
authors.affiliation: ST6 in Oral and maxillofacial surgery, King's College Hospital London, Denmark Hill, London- SE5 9RS. Electronic address: jkunjur@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kunjur
authors.affiliation: SHO in Oral and maxillofacial surgery, King's College Hospital London, Denmark Hill, London- SE5 9RS. Electronic address: rafal.niziol@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niziol
authors.affiliation: Consultant maxillofacial surgeon, King's College Hospital London, Denmark Hill, London- SE5 9RS. Electronic address: dr.shaun.matthews@btinternet.com.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071066:Patient Reported Outcome Measures; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013222:State Medicine; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Quality of life; Temporomandibular joint; Total joint replacement surgery