title: Relation between osteoporosis and radiographic and clinical signs of osteoarthritis/arthrosis in the temporomandibular joint: a population-based, cross-sectional study in an older Swedish population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to elucidate the relation between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis/arthrosis (OA) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  General epidemiological data support the hypothesis that osteoporosis and OA are inversely correlated but is not conclusively investigated in the TMJ.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 114 representative elderly women and men, randomised from a comprehensive population study in Gothenburg, Sweden, had bone mineral density established with whole-body, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as part of a health survey. In addition, dental examinations were performed, including panoramic radiographs exposed as an overview of the TMJ's and jaws. In 88 of the 80-year-old participants (48 women and 40 men), a clinical orofacial examination according to the RDC/TMD system was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A diagnosis of osteopenia/osteoporosis was found in 36% of the 114, with a statistically different greater proportion of women. Condylar alterations evaluated from panoramic radiographs were observed in 34%, with no significant gender difference. No significant differences were found in the proportion of individuals with osteopenia/osteoporosis and any condylar radiographic alteration or not. Forty-one of the clinically examined subjects, 47%, fulfilled the criteria for an RDC/TMD diagnosis with no gender difference. All participants graded the orofacial pain as low chronic pain. An opening capacity of <40 mm denoted a higher risk of having pain in the temporomandibular system. No association was found between clinical diagnosis of RDC/TMD and osteopenia/osteoporosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis appears not to be of importance for radiological or clinical findings of OA in the TMJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Dentistry, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bäck
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahlqwist
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Dentistry, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hakeberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Björkelund
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral and Community Dentistry, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dahlström
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: epidemiology; osteoarthritis; osteoporosis; temporomandibular joint