Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and oral health-related quality of life in women with temporomandibular disorder

Ana Karolina Reis MENDONÇA, Luana Pinheiro Guerra FONTOURA, Thaynara Domingos da ROCHA, Rocharles Cavalcante FONTENELE, Tereza Nicolle Burgos NUNES, Romulo Rocha REGIS, Lívia Maria Sales PINTO-FIAMENGUI

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare pain intensity and Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in women with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) before (T1) and during (T2) COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Sample was composed of forty-one female participants with painful TMD, who presented for TMD treatment. Subjects were asked to indicate their pain intensity and to answer the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Participants data were collected twice: T1 (evaluation of medical records fulfilled before COVID-19 pandemic) and T2 (by means of an online form). Socio-demographic data were assessed in T1. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of 5% (Wilcoxon, chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, multiple linear regressions). Results: No difference was found in pain intensity (p = 0.26) and OHIP-14 global scores (p = 0.53). Physical pain (p = 0.03) and social disability (p = 0.05) domains improved. In T1, subject’s occupation was associated with OHIP-14 global score, physical pain, and physical disability domains. In T2, age was associated with OHIP-14 global scores as well as physical pain, psychological discomfort, and psychological disability domains. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic did not worsen pain intensity and OHRQoL in women with painful TMD, and it is suggested that socio-demographic characteristics influenced TMD patients coping skills during pandemic.

Keywords: Coronavirus. Quality of life. Facial pain.

How to cite: Mendonça AKR, Fontoura LPG, Rocha TD, Fontenele RC, Nunes TNB, Regis RR, Pinto-Fiamengui LMS. Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and oral health-related quality of life in women with temporomandibular disorder. Dental Press J Orthod. 2022;27(3):e2220422.

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