AB1253-HPR Rheumatoid Arthritis Reduces Mandibular Movements and Quality of Life

Background Damages in body joints are commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In dentistry, the temporomandibular joint, if impaired by RA, might affect the patients9 mandibular movements and, consequently, their quality of life. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the mandibular movements and the oral health quality of life (OHQL) of the elderly with RA. Methods Partially or completely edentulous subjects (aged 64±4 years) were divided into two groups: an experimental group, consisting of 12 elderly with RA and therefore temporomandibular disorder (TMD); and the control, consisting of 12 elderly free of RA and TMD. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) was used to diagnose arthralgia, arthritis, and arthrosis in the RA individuals. Mandibular movements were evaluated using the electromagnetic method of jaw tracking. OHQL was evaluated by applying the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire, which evaluates dimensions involving social, psychological and physical aspects. Data concerning the mandibular movements were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey9s test (P Results The individuals in the experimental group showed the lowest values for sagittal (P=0.0088) and vertical aperture (P=0.0116), lateral mandibular deviation (P=0.0109), and right (P=0.0103) and left (P=0.007) laterality. OHIP-14 results obtained for the RA and TMD individuals revealed the highest impact on oral health in the following dimensions: physical pain (P Conclusions The presence of RA involving temporomandibular joint reduces the mandibular movements and negatively impacts the quality of life of the elderly. References Yilmaz HH, Yildirim D, Ugan Y, Tunc SE, Yesildag A, Orhan H, Akdag C. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2011; 1-7. Ikebe K, Matsuda KI, Kagawa R, Enoki K, Yoshida M, Maeda Y, Nokubi T. Association of masticatory performance with age, gender, number of teeth, occlusal force and salivary flow in Japanese older adults: Is ageing a risk factor for masticatory dysfunction? Archives of oral biology. 2011;5 6:991–996. Voog U, Alstergren P, Leibur E, Kallikorm R, Kopp S. Impact of temporomandibular joint pain on activities of daily living in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Acta Odontol Scand. 2003; 61: 278-282. Helenius LMJ, Tervahartiala P, Helenius I, Al-Sukhun J, Kivisaari L, Suuronen R, Kautiainen H, Hallikainen D, Lindqvist C, Leirisalo-Repo M. Clinical, radiographic and MRI findings of the temporomandibular joint in patients with different rheumatic diseases. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2006; 35: 983–989. Disclosure of Interest None declared