Back and neck pain: A comparison between acute and chronic pain-related Temporomandibular Disorders

Background Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common and cause persistent pain. Comorbidities are associated with TMDs and can affect the effectiveness of their treatments. The literature is lacking enough evidence on the difference between acute and chronic pain, particularly in TMDs. Investigating this difference could highlight potential risk factors for the transition from acute to chronic pain-related TMDs. Aim To compare the likelihood of back and neck pain (BP, NP) between acute and chronic pain-related TMDs (AP-TMD, CP-TMD) as defined by pain duration and pain-related disability.left-to-right mark Methods Participants with AP-TMDs (<= 3 months) and CP-TMDs (>3 months) were recruited according to the diagnostic criteria and research diagnostic criteria of TMD. BP and NP were assessed using a self-reported checklist. CP-TMDs defined by disability (chronic disability) and depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using validated instruments. Logistic regression analyses were employed. Results This study enrolled 487 adults with AP-TMD (n = 118) and CP-TMD (n = 369). Relative to AP-TMD, participants with CP-TMD had twice the odds of reporting NP (odds ratio [OR] = 2.17left-to-right mark, 95% CI 1.27-3.71) but not BP left-to-right markleft-to-right mark(OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.57-1.64). Participants with chronic disability were twice as likely to report NP left-to-right mark(OR = 1.95left-to-right mark, 95% CI 1.20-3.17left-to-right mark) but not BP (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 0.69-1.82)left-to-right mark compared to those without. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, results suggest that central dysregulation or trigeminocervical convergence mechanisms are implicated in the process of pain-related TMD chronification and highlight the relevance of considering disability when defining CP-TMDs.

Automated summary

This study compares the likelihood of back and neck pain between acute and chronic pain-related TMD patients. The results show that compared to acute TMD, chronic TMD patients are twice as likely to report neck pain, but not back pain. Chronic disability is also associated with an increased likelihood of neck pain, but not back pain.