Elsevier

The Journal of Pain

Volume 11, Issue 11, November 2010, Pages 1155-1164
The Journal of Pain

Original Report
The Effect of Fibromyalgia and Widespread Pain on the Clinically Significant Temporomandibular Muscle and Joint Pain Disorders—A Prospective 18-Month Cohort Study

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2010.02.009Get rights and content
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Abstract

Although most cases of temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJD) are mild and self-limiting, about 10% of TMJD patients develop severe disorders associated with chronic pain and disability. It has been suggested that fibromyalgia and widespread pain play a significant role in TMJD chronicity. This paper assessed the effects of fibromyalgia and widespread pain on clinically significant TMJD pain (GCPS II-IV). Four hundred eighty-five participants recruited from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area through media advertisements and local dentists received examinations and completed the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) at baseline and at 18 months. Baseline widespread pain (OR: 2.53, P = .04) and depression (OR: 5.30, P = .005) were associated with onset of clinically significant pain (GCPS II-IV) within 18 months after baseline. The risk associated with baseline fibromyalgia was moderate, but not significant (OR: 2.74, P = .09). Persistence of clinically significant pain was related to fibromyalgia (OR: 2.48, P = .02) and depression (OR: 2.48, P = .02). These results indicate that these centrally generated pain conditions play a role in the onset and persistence of clinically significant TMJD.

Perspective

Fibromyalgia and widespread pain should receive important consideration when evaluating and developing a treatment plan for patients with TMJD.

Key words

Temporomandibular disorders
widespread pain
fibromyalgia
risk factors
chronic pain

Cited by (0)

This study was funded by NIH/NIDCR grant R01DE11252 and the University of Minnesota Oral Health Research Center (NIH/NIDCR grant DE09737-09). This project was also supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research's TMJ Implant Registry and Repository (NIH/NIDCR Contract # N01-De-22635).