Abstract Painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in children and adolescents may impact negatively the individual´s life. The presence of comorbidities associated with TMD tends to increase the persistence of pain and to facilitate its chronification. Objective To investigate the presence of other painful conditions and systemic diseases and their association with painful TMD. Methodology In this cross-sectional study, 690 adolescents aged between 12-14 years old were evaluated through questionnaires and clinical examinations. Results Painful TMD was found in 16.2% of the sample, with a significant association with bronchitis (OR= 2.5; p=0.003) and asthma (OR=3.1; p=0.013), reported by the parents/legal guardians of the participants. Adolescents with regional and widespread pain were 2.7 (95% CI: 1.65-4.55) and 3.6 (95% CI: 1.29-10.14) more likely to also present painful TMD. Painful TMD was associated with a higher number of body pain sites in the last 12 months (4.26 vs. 2.90; p<0.001), as well as a higher number of systemic diseases (1.48 vs. 1.18; p=0.048), when compared to adolescents without painful TMD. Conclusion The findings of this study point out the importance of considering the presence of comorbid conditions in the diagnosis and management of painful TMD in adolescents. A multidisciplinary approach would contribute to better control of painful TMD and decrease its chronification risk.

Abstract Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a highly prevalent, painful musculoskeletal condition affecting the masticatory system, and are frequently associated with migraines (M) and other diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between painful TMD and M with other painful conditions and systemic diseases, such as cervicalgia, body pain (BP), ear-nose-throat disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, cardiopulmonary diseases and gastritis/peptic ulcer. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a sample of 352 individuals. Participants were stratified into three groups according to the presence of painful TMD and M: controls [individuals free of TMD and any headache (HA)]; TMD only (presence of painful TMD, but free of any HA); and TMD+M (presence of painful TMD and M). TMD was classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) - Axis I. Nonspecific physical symptoms (NSPS) were assessed by RDC/TMD - Axis II. The International Classification of Headache Disorders - II criteria, second edition, were applied to identify and classify primary HA. Other painful conditions and systemic diseases were assessed by volunteers’ self-report. The prevalence of all assessed conditions was higher in the TMD+M group. Multiple regression models showed that cervicalgia was associated with the TMD only group (p<0.05), whereas gender (p<0.05), cervicalgia (p<0.05), BP (p<0.05) and NSPS (p<0.05) were significantly associated with the TMD+M group. Our results suggest that individuals with a comorbidity (TMD associated with M) have a more severe condition than those presenting only painful TMD.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A disfunção temporomandibular (DTM), condição musculoesquelética do sistema mastigatório, pode se tornar crônica, causando maior comprometimento na qualidade de vida (QV) dos pacientes. Devido à inter-relação entre sintomas físicos e emocionais, há uma crescente busca pelo modelo integrativo, o qual inclui abordagens psicossociais para o tratamento de condições dolorosas. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre o impacto da educação e modalidades simples de autocuidados podem ter na dor e na disfunção relacionadas à DTM dolorosa crônica. CONTEÚDO: Os fatores psicossociais estão frequentemente envolvidos na cronificação da dor, tornando as abordagens biocomportamentais cada vez mais indicadas para mudar a percepção da dor, reduzir o sofrimento e as alterações psicossociais que acompanham as dores persistentes. CONCLUSÃO: A literatura existente, apesar de não ser vasta, indica resultados positivos da aplicação de métodos de educação e autocuidados em DTM dolorosa crônica. Mais estudos são necessários para reforçar tais achados e disseminar a aplicação de tais abordagens no controle da dor crônica e da DTM.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which is a musculoskeletal condition of the masticatory system, may become chronic and further worsen quality of life (QL) of patients. Due to the inter-relationship between physical and emotional symptoms, there is an increasing search for the integrative model, which includes psychosocial approaches for the treatment of painful conditions. This study aimed at reviewing in the literature the impact of education and simple self-care modalities on pain and disorders related to chronic painful TMD. CONTENTS: Psychosocial factors are often involved with pain chronicity, making bio-behavioral approaches increasingly more indicated to change pain perception and to decrease distress and psychosocial changes which go along with persistent pain. CONCLUSION: Current literature, although not extensive, indicates positive results of education and self-care methods for chronic painful TMD. Further studies are needed to reinforce such findings and spread the application of such approaches to control chronic and TMD pain.