Orofacial pain, jaw function, and temporomandibular disorders in women with a history of juvenile chronic arthritis or persistent juvenile chronic arthritis

Objectives. We sought to study the long-term outcome of juvenile chronic ar thritis (JCA) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Study design. Temporomandibular disorders, including TMJ involvement, were assessed in 42 women with pauciarticular or polyarticular JCA-on average 25 .8 years from disease onset-and compared with those found in matched contro l subjects. Disease-related parameters associated with temporomandibular di sorders were identified. Results. The TMJ was involved in 66.7% of the patients, most severely in ex tended pauciarticular JCA. Temporomandibular disorders were more frequent i n the patients than in the control subjects, especially in those with persi stent disease. The TMJ involvement was positively correlated with disease d uration and negatively correlated with jaw opening and occlusal support. Du ration of active JCA an history of functional pain were identified as predi ctors of present TMJ involvement. Conclusion. In a long-term follow-up, TMJ involvement proved frequent in th e studied patients and was associated with long disease duration and previo us pain on jaw opening. The findings suggest that patients with JCA should undergo orofacial evaluation on a regular basis.