Int J Med Sci 2020; 17(2):153-160. doi:10.7150/ijms.38914 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs

Vito Crincoli1✉, Maria Grazia Piancino2, Florenzo Iannone3, Mariella Errede1, Mariasevera Di Comite1

1. Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Italy.
2. Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Italy.
3. Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Italy.

Citation:
Crincoli V, Piancino MG, Iannone F, Errede M, Di Comite M. Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17(2):153-160. doi:10.7150/ijms.38914. https://www.medsci.org/v17p0153.htm
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Abstract

Aims: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease characterized by a wide range of pleomorphic pictures, including mucocutaneous, renal, musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms. It involves oral tissues, with hyposalivation, tooth decay, gingivitis, angular cheilitis, ulcers and glossitis. Temporomandibular disorders represent a heterogeneous group of inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the stomatognatic system, with algic and/or dysfunctional clinical features involving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related masticatory muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral manifestations and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in SLE patients (Lp) compared with a control group.

Methods: Fifty-five patients (9 men and 46 women) with diagnosed Lupus were recruited in the study group. A randomly selected group of 55 patients, matched by sex and age, served as control group. The examination for TMD symptoms and signs was based on the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) through a questionnaire and clinical examination.

Results: Lupus patients complained more frequently (95.8%) of oral and TMJ symptoms (dysgeusia, stomatodynia, masticatory muscle pain during function, neck and shoulder muscles pain and presence of tinnitus) but only xerostomia (χ2=4,1548 p=0,0415), temple headache (χ2=4,4542 p=0,035) and the sensation of a stuck jaw (Mid-p-test p=0,043) were significant. About signs, cheilitis (p=0,0284) oral ulcers (χ2=4,0104 p=0,045) and fissured tongue are significantly more frequent in study group. The salivary flow was significantly decreased in the study group respect to the control one (p<0.0001). As regard to the oral kinematics, restricted movements (RM) in protrusion and left lateral movement were significantly different between study group and controls. In particular, 85,2% of Lp showed limited protrusion versus 56,4% of controls (χ2= 10,91 p<0,001); 59,3% of Lp had also a limitation during left lateral movement versus 47,3% of controls (T=2,225 p=0,0282). About bruxism, only the indentations on the lateral edges of the tongue were found in Lp group (72,7%), with a significant difference respect to controls (χ2=7,37 p=0,007).

Conclusions: While masticatory muscles have an overlapping behavior in both groups, the findings collected show a more severe TMJ kinematic impairment in Lp than in controls, with protrusion and left lateral movements significantly different. In addition, a remarkable reduction of salivary flow has been detected in Lp compared to controls. In conclusion, this autoimmune disease seems to play a role in oral manifestations and TMJ disorders, causing an increase in orofacial pain and an altered chewing function.

Keywords: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, oral features, temporomandibular disorders, RDC/TMD


Citation styles

APA
Crincoli, V., Piancino, M.G., Iannone, F., Errede, M., Di Comite, M. (2020). Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 17(2), 153-160. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.38914.

ACS
Crincoli, V.; Piancino, M.G.; Iannone, F.; Errede, M.; Di Comite, M. Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs. Int. J. Med. Sci. 2020, 17 (2), 153-160. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.38914.

NLM
Crincoli V, Piancino MG, Iannone F, Errede M, Di Comite M. Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17(2):153-160. doi:10.7150/ijms.38914. https://www.medsci.org/v17p0153.htm

CSE
Crincoli V, Piancino MG, Iannone F, Errede M, Di Comite M. 2020. Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: An Observational Study of Symptoms and Signs. Int J Med Sci. 17(2):153-160.

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