Abstract: Temporomandibular joint problems and self-registration of mandibular opening capacity among adults with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. A questionnaire study.

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Temporomandibular joint problems and self-registration of mandibular opening

capacity among adults with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. A questionnaire study.

Hagberg C, Korpe L, Berglund B.

Mun-H-Center, Swedish National Orofacial Resource Center for Rare Disorders,

Goteborg, Sweden. catharina.hagberg@...

OBJECTIVES: To study maximal mandibular opening capacity and the prevalence of

temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems reported among a larger group of adults

with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Furthermore, to compare proportions of

disorders with those in a cohort of randomized population- based controls.

DESIGN: A questionnaire study with self-registration of maximal mandibular

opening capacity. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: One hundred and fourteen

persons with EDS and 114 controls in a randomized population-based cohort.

Experimental variables - Self-registered maximal mandibular opening capacity

values that were calculated from the markings of maximal interincisal distance

on spatulas and the assessments of overbite with the aid of photos. Questions

concerning EDS, TMJ problems and other related questions. OUTCOME MEASURE: Mean

values of maximal mandibular opening capacity compared between groups.

Proportions of affirmative answers about TMJ problems compared between persons

with EDS and controls who did not have the syndrome. RESULTS: The EDS persons

who reported problems with poor mouth opening capacity when biting into thick

pieces of food had a lower mean maximal mandibular opening value compared with

the other EDS persons (p < 0.05). The proportions of affirmative answers

concerning mobile joints during mouth opening, present TMJ problems, poor mouth

opening capacity when biting into thick food, clicking, crepitations and

permanent locking were greater compared with the controls (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: These data corroborate the reports in literature that persons with

EDS are naturally predisposed to TMJ problems. The self-registration of maximal

mandibular opening capacity was a useful diagnostic tool to provide an objective

clinical measure of movement capacity of the TMJ. The clinical measure was in

line with the affirmative answers on having problems with poor mouth opening

capacity among the EDS persons.