Health-related quality of life in child patients with temporomandibular disorder pain.

摘要

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) occurs frequently in children and measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) can complement efficacy measures, offering a complete picture of the impact of disease and treatment on overall well-being. AIM: To compare HRQL, pain threshold (PT) and range of motion (ROM) in child patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and an age and gender matched control group. METHODS: The study design was a controlled cross-sectional study. Forty-two children participated in the study. Twenty-one child patients referred to a dental pediatric clinic for specialist treatment because of TMD pain and an age and gender matched control group completed the Child health questionnaire-child form 87 (CHQ-CF87). PT was measured with Pain matcher and ROM in terms of maximum unassisted mandibular opening was measured with a ruler. RESULTS: The child patients with pain more than once a week had a pain duration ranging from 3 months to almost 6 years. The median for pain intensity measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) was 47 ranging from 5 to 80 and the median for behavioral rating scale (BRS) was 3 ranging from 1 to 4. Child patients with TMD pain more than once a week reported significantly lower scores in CHQ-CF87 when compared with a control group. The results for PT and ROM were non-significant. CONCLUSION: CHQ-CF87 could be used for measuring health and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment in child patients with TMD pain.