Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and oral health-related quality of life in women with temporomandibular disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare pain intensity and Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in women with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) before (T1) and during (T2) COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Sample was composed of forty-one female participants with painful TMD, who presented for TMD treatment. Subjects were asked to indicate their pain intensity and to answer the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Participants data were collected twice: T1 (evaluation of medical records fulfilled before COVID-19 pandemic) and T2 (by means of an online form). Socio-demographic data were assessed in T1. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of 5% (Wilcoxon, chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, multiple linear regressions). Results: No difference was found in pain intensity (p=0.26) and OHIP-14 global scores (p=0.53). Physical pain (p=0.03) and social disability (p=0.05) domains improved. In T1, subject’s occupation was associated with OHIP-14 global score, physical pain, and physical disability domains. In T2, age was associated with OHIP-14 global scores as well as physical pain, psychological discomfort, and psychological disability domains. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic did not worsen pain intensity and OHRQoL in women with painful TMD, and it is suggested that socio-demographic characteristics influenced TMD patients coping skills during pandemic.

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, sex, and age on temporomandibular disorders subtypes in East Asian patients: a retrospective observational study

“…Disparate results were presented by two prospective cohort studies. While one endorsed the negative psychological impact of the pandemic, the other reported no worsening of pain intensity and oral health-related QoL (OHRQoL) in women with painful TMDs [ 21 , 22 ]. The only case-control study indicated oral parafunction, but not TMD pain increased substantially during the pandemic and women were more distressed than men [ 23 ].…”

Sociodemographic Profile: A Forgotten Factor in Temporomandibular Disorders? A Scoping Review

“… Lei, 2021 41 (China) Cross-sectional DC/TMD 1079 patients (856 W, 223 M, mean age = 29.6 ± 14.2 y) with TMD. Mendonça, 2022 42 (Brazil) Cross-sectional RDC/TMD 41 patients (all women, mean age = 26.83 ± 7.54 y), diagnosed with at least one painful TMD, who presented for treatment before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Notes : ϯ Followed the guidelines of the Academy of Orofacial Pain.…”

The Association between COVID-19 Related Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Temporomandibular Disorders, and Headaches from Childhood to Adulthood: A Systematic Review

“…A total of 51.4% said symptoms worsened in the last month and 51.4% of those subjects reported that their symptoms had worsened due to the lockdown [ 52 ]. The study of Mendonca et al [ 53 ] evaluated the intensity and quality of life in a group of women with temporomandibular disorders, assessing their pain and the intensity of the disorders, before and during the pandemic period. In this study, women with TMD were evaluated and their pain levels and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were compared before (T1) and during (T2) the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Statistical analysis was performed to a 5% significance threshold (Wilcoxon, chi-square or Fisher test, multiple linear regressions). No statistically significant differences were found in pain intensity ( p = 0.26) and overall OHIP-14 scores ( p = 0.53) [ 53 ]. The study of Asquini et al [ 54 ] evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on the psychology and severity of facial pain in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.…”