Standardizing Terminology and Assessment for Orofacial Conditions in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: International, Multidisciplinary Consensus-based Recommendations

Abstract

Objective.To propose multidisciplinary, consensus-based, standardization of operational terminology and method of assessment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods.Using a sequential expert group–defined terminology and methods-of-assessment approach by (1) establishment of task force, (2) item generation, (3) working group consensus, (4) external expert content validity testing, and (5) multidisciplinary group of experts final Delphi survey consensus.Results.Seven standardized operational terms were defined: TMJ arthritis, TMJ involvement, TMJ arthritis management, dentofacial deformity, TMJ deformity, TMJ symptoms, and TMJ dysfunction.Conclusion.Definition of 7 operational standardized terms provides an optimal platform for communication across healthcare providers involved in JIA-TMJ arthritis management.

Comprehensive Assessment of Orofacial Health and Disease Related Parameters in Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis—A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Accordingly, the diagnoses according to the RDC/TMD have to be questioned, especially regarding the fact that JIA is not considered in this protocol. In general, for interpretation of the data, one must be aware that the RDC/TMD can only give information about TMJ dysfunction not about real TMJ involvement [38,39]. Radiographically, 47% of participants showed TMJ deformities in the current study.…”

Efficacy and safety of intraarticular corticosteroid injections in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the temporomandibular joint: A Norwegian 2-year prospective multicenter pilot study.

“…This 2-year prospective multicenter-study of IACs in adolescents with JIA and TMJ arthritis, is part of a larger Norwegian prospective multicenter cohort on JIA (www.norjia.com). The terminology adheres to TMJaw (earlier EuroTMJoint) consensus-based standardized terminology (28). Clinical Fifteen adolescents with JIA were consecutively recruited and a total of 22 TMJ injections with corticosteroids were performed.…”

Improving treatment of the temporomandibular joint in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: let’s face it

“…For decades the TMJ has been an underrecognized joint in juvenile arthritis. However, in the last 2 decades research in JIA associated TMJ arthritis has increased significantly and most recently the TMJ juvenile arthritis working (TMJaw) group (formerly known as euroTMjoint) has published some landmark papers in this area and according to the authors have increased the awareness of the importance of the TMJ in JIA [4][5][6]. The terminology around JIA associated TMJ arthritis has been confusing and has led to the inability to compare studies due to the inclusion of different stages of JIA associated TMJ arthritis.…”

“…The terminology around JIA associated TMJ arthritis has been confusing and has led to the inability to compare studies due to the inclusion of different stages of JIA associated TMJ arthritis. A recent international TMJaw group consensus paper has addressed this problem and has suggested an international terminology specifying between TMJ arthritis (active TMJ arthritis diagnosed by gadolinium enhanced MRI) and TMJ involvement (abnormalities presumed to be the result of TMJ arthritis) [5].…”