Painful and non-painful comorbidities associated with short- and long-term painful temporomandibular disorders: A cross-sectional study among adolescents from Brazil, Canada and France

Background Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain is common among adolescents. The association between painful TMD and other comorbidities has been demonstrated. However, the difference between short-term (<6 months) and long-term (>= 6 months) painful TMD is not yet clear. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the association between comorbidities and short- and long-term painful TMD among adolescents. Methods In this cross-sectional study, adolescents were recruited from Montreal (Canada), Nice (France) and Arceburgo (Brazil). Self-reported painful TMD, comorbidities, school absence and analgesic intake were assessed using reliable instruments. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the study aims. Results The prevalence of short- and long-term painful TMD was estimated at 22.29% and 9.93% respectively. The number of comorbidities was associated with short- (OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.53-1.90) and long-term painful TMD (OR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.55-2.08) compared to controls. Frequent headaches (ORshort-term = 4.39, 95%CI = 3.23-5.98, ORlong-term = 3.69, 95%CI = 2.45-5.57) and back pain (ORshort-term = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.06-2.03, ORlong-term = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.11-2.59) were associated with both painful TMD groups. Frequent neck pain (OR = 2.23, 95%CI = 1.53-3.26) and allergies were only associated with short-term painful TMD (OR = 1.54, 95%CI = 1.13-2.10). Frequent stomach pain was related to long-term (OR = 2.01, 95%CI = 1.35-3.26), and it was the only comorbidity significantly more frequent among the long than short-term TMD (OR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.14-2.90). These analyses were adjusted by sex, age and city. Conclusion In this multi-centre study, both short- and long-term painful TMD are associated with frequent headaches and back pain, whereas frequent neck pain and allergies are related to only short-term and frequent stomach pain with long-term painful TMD.

Automated summary

The study found that both short- and long-term painful TMD in adolescents are associated with a variety of comorbidities, particularly frequent headaches and back pain. Frequent neck pain and allergies were only associated with short-term TMD, while frequent stomach pain was related to long-term painful TMD.