ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, known as TMDs, are significant public health problems and may result in pain and disability. In order to determine the prevalence of clinical/subjective TMD in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we used the research diagnostic criteria (RDC)/TMD axes. We assessed the anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP)-related TMD in RA for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two RA patients were compared to 47 healthy controls with regard to complete blood count (CBC), serology, acute phase reactants (APR), and TMJ dysfunction. RESULTS: The anti-CCP antibody showed a significant correlation with the development of clinical TMD (P=0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI)=12.4%-35.6%). A prevalence of 50% was calculated through the RDC/TMD for such disorders. In RA patients, statistically significant differences were observed between the groups with and without clinical TMD regarding psychological depression and physical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, a significant correlation was found between the anti-CCP antibody and TMD. Therefore, when this antibody is detected in the blood serum, the treatment must be initiated. The RDC/TMD used in this study assessed the prevalence of TMJ dysfunction in conformity with RA-associated TMJ findings previously obtained through other conventional methods.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have not been reported in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients treated with a topical corticosteroid. This study evaluates TAC and MDA levels in unstimulated saliva of OLP patients. Such measurements may need to be supported by clinical observation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with OLP participated in a study conducted at the Department of Oral Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Salivary TAC and MDA were determined by biochemical analyses before and after 5-week triamcinolone acetonide (0.2%) mouthrinse treatment. Subjective symptoms as well as lesion status pre- and post-treatment were measured using visual analog scale (VAS) and clinical scoring system, respectively. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the evaluation of MDA and TAC parameters, VASs, and rates of clinical scores. Spearman's rank correlation was used to determine the relationship between different variables. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in salivary TAC was found after treatment. There was no significant difference in the reduction of salivary MDA levels in OLP patients after treatment. CONCLUSION: Posttreatment analyses revealed a significant degree of recovery and pain relief of OLP lesions. Hence, triamcinolon mouthrinse by reducing oxidative stress is an appropriate treatment in OLP patients.
