Does adolescent self-reported TMD pain persist into early adulthood? A longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract

Objective: To follow up 2209 individuals in a longitudinal study and assess self-reported TMD pain, painful and non-painful comorbid conditions, and pain-related disability.

Material and methods: During 2012–2014, questionnaires were sent to 2209 eligible individuals who had been screened for TMD pain each year during 2000–2003. The two screening questions were (1) Do you have pain in the temple, face, jaw joint, or jaws once a week or more often? and (2) Do you have pain when you open your mouth wide or chew once a week or more often? If the patient answered ‘yes’ to one or both of the questions, TMD pain was recorded. Non-respondents received reminders; telephone interviews were offered a randomised group. The questionnaire queried TMD pain, and painful and non-painful comorbid conditions.

Results: The overall response rate was 36.5%. Individuals were placed into one of four pain groups defined by their pain experience at baseline and at the follow-up: no TMD pain (69.0%), new TMD pain (13.0%), previous TMD pain (9.9%), and persistent TMD pain (8.1%). Based on the self-report surveys, significantly more responders with TMD pain at follow-up had had pain as adolescents than not. Of adolescents with TMD pain, 45.1% had pain at follow-up as young adults, while 15.8% had pain at follow-up without a previous history of TMD pain. Individuals with persistent TMD pain had high frequencies of comorbid pains (p < .001), 45.2% reported moderate-severe depression scores (p < .001), and 13.0% had moderate pain-related disability (GCPS).

Conclusions: Based on self-report surveys, TMD pain in adolescence appears to triple the risk of TMD pain in young adulthood, and persistent pain increased comorbid pain and psychosocial distress.