Frequency of myofascial temporomandibular disorder in fibromyalgia patients

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder with key symptoms being widespread chronic pain, cognitive difficulties, sleep disorders, and fatigue or tiredness. There is a relation between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and fibromyalgia due to their shared epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical symptoms.

Objective: To determine the frequency of myofascial temporomandibular disorder in fibromyalgia patients.

Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The ethical approval was obtained having reference number LCPT/DPT/20/540. A total of 264 participants with age ranges from 30 to 60 years, both males and females diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology Criteria were included in this study. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) questionnaire was used in order to diagnose temporomandibular disorders in participants who were previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Results: 22.7% of participants (n = 60) were found to have no TMD according to the FAI scoring. 30.6% (n = 81) showed symptoms of mild TMD, 26.1% (n = 69) showed moderate TMD and 20.5% (n = 54) showed symptoms of severe TMD. The most common complaint was tiredness and muscular pain during chewing 59.1% (n = 156), followed by headaches 44.3% (n = 117).

Conclusion: A higher prevalence of myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD) was reported among the participants, with almost one-third experiencing mild symptoms. Notably, chewing-related pain and frequent headaches were prevalent issues.