Sensory characteristics and chronic facial pain conditions: Cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated patients with neuropathic, myofascial and other orofacial pain conditions according to the differences and similarities of the sensory profile, and the association between sensory findings and neuropathic or non-neuropathic conditions. DESIGN: 132 healthy controls were compared with 174 orofacial pain patients that were classified into three groups (neuropathic, masticatory myofascial and other orofacial pain condition) and evaluated with a systematized protocol of sensory testing. Data were analyzed with chi-quare and Bonferroni correction (categorical data), Student´s t test, oneway ANOVA, Tukey (quantitative features), Pearson´s coefficient for correlations and logistic regression. RESULTS: Cold, olfactory and superficial pain thresholds were higher in the group of neuropathic facial pain compared with the other groups, and the highest vibratory thresholds were observed in the group of other orofacial pain conditions. Deep pain thresholds were statistically lower in the group with masticatory myofascial pain. CONCLUSIONS: Positive sensory findings (eg. hyperalgesia) were more common in the group of patients with masticatory myofascial pain, supporting inflammatory systemic mechanisms, and negative sensory findings not restricted to the trigeminal nerve (eg. hypoesthesia, hyposmia) were more frequent in patients with neuropathic conditions. Non-classical neuropathic orofacial pains also showed sensory impairment from pain chronification and from the overlap with functional disorders.

Depression, sexuality and fibromyalgia syndrome: clinical findings and correlation to hematological parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate sexuality and depression in women with FM compared with controls and to correlate the findings with hematological parameters. METHODS: 33 women with FM and 19 healthy women were included and evaluated with the following instruments: Female Sexual Function Index, Beck Inventory, Visual Analogue Scale, medical history and laboratory exams. RESULTS: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction (P = 0.007) and depression (P < 0.001) were higher in the study group than in the control group; they were positively correlated (P = 0.023). The study group showed lower serum concentrations of testosterone, free T4, antinuclear factor, and lower blood hemoglobin and hematocrit. CONCLUSIONS: FM was associated with high scores of sexual dysfunction and depression, and there were correlations with hematological parameters. We suggest the involvement of immune-inflammatory mediators and FM, which need further investigation to understand their role in FM syndrome and its comorbidities.

Depression, sexuality and fibromyalgia syndrome: clinical findings and correlation to hematological parameters / Depressão e sexualidade na síndrome fibromiálgica: achados clínicos e correlação com parâmetros hematológicos

ABSTRACT Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic pain and comorbidities. Objective To investigate sexuality and depression in women with FM compared with controls and to correlate the findings with hematological parameters. Methods 33 women with FM and 19 healthy women were included and evaluated with the following instruments: Female Sexual Function Index, Beck Inventory, Visual Analogue Scale, medical history and laboratory exams. Results The prevalence of sexual dysfunction (P = 0.007) and depression (P < 0.001) were higher in the study group than in the control group; they were positively correlated (P = 0.023). The study group showed lower serum concentrations of testosterone, free T4, antinuclear factor, and lower blood hemoglobin and hematocrit. Conclusions FM was associated with high scores of sexual dysfunction and depression, and there were correlations with hematological parameters. We suggest the involvement of immune-inflammatory mediators and FM, which need further investigation to understand their role in FM syndrome and its comorbidities.

RESUMO Fibromialgia (FS) é caracterizada por dor e comorbidades. Objetivo investigar depressão e sexualidade em mulheres com FS comparadas a controles, e correlacionar os achados com parâmetros hematológicos. Métodos 33 mulheres com FS e 19 controles saudáveis foram incluídas e avaliadas através dos seguintes instrumentos: Índice de Função Feminina Sexual, Inventário de Beck, escala visual analógica, história médica e exames laboratoriais. Resultados A prevalência de disfunção sexual (P = 0,007) e depressão (P < 0,001) foram maiores no grupo de estudo do que nos controles; também houve correlação positiva (P = 0,023). O grupo de estudo apresentou menor concentração sérica de testosterona, T4 livre, fator antinuclear e menos concentração de hemoglobina e hematócrito. Conclusões A FS associou-se com altos índices de disfunção sexual e depressão, e houve correlação com os parâmetros hematológicos estudados. Sugere-se o envolvimento de mediadores imuno-inflamatórios na FS, que necessita de maior investigação para a compreensão dos mecanismos tanto na FS e quanto em suas comorbidades.

Somatosensory investigation of patients with orofacial pain compared with controls.

The objective of this study was to investigate the sensorial characteristics of orofacial pain in patients compared with control subjects. A total of 336 subjects (282 patients and 54 control subjects) were evaluated to identify their thermal (cold and warm), tactile, and pain thresholds. Numbness was reported by 61.7% of the patients (p<0.001). Patients with trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia and burning mouth syndrome showed loss of thermal perception; patients with postherpetic neuralgia, burning mouth syndrome, and posttraumatic painful neuropathy had a decrease in tactile perception compared with the control subjects (p<0.001). In conclusion, other sensorial modalities besides pain are affected by neuropathic orofacial pain; these findings can help in the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms in orofacial pain.

Doença periodontal em doenças reumáticas pediátricas / Periodontal disease in pediatric rheumatic diseases

Gengivite e periodontite são doenças periodontais imunoinflamatórias caracterizadas por infecções localizadas crônicas geralmente associadas a uma inflamação insidiosa. Essa revisão narrativa discute doenças periodontais e mecanismos que influenciam a resposta imune e a autoimunidade na área das doenças reumáticas pediátricas (DRP), particularmente a artrite idiopática juvenil (AIJ), lúpus eritematoso sistêmico juvenil (LESJ) e dermatomiosite juvenil (DMJ). Foi notada maior frequência de gengivite nessas doenças em comparação com controles sadios, enquanto casos de periodontite foram achados raros. Em pacientes com AIJ, a gengivite e a periodontite estavam relacionadas a fatores mecânicos, artrite crônica com incapacitação funcional, desregulação da resposta imunoinflamatória, dieta e medicamentos, principalmente corticosteroides e ciclosporina. Em pacientes com LESJ, a gengivite estava associada a períodos mais longos da doença, doses elevadas de corticosteroides, hiperativação dos linfócitos B e elevação da imunoglobulina G. São escassos os dados sobre doenças periodontais na população com DMJ; nos pacientes ativos, foi observado um padrão gengival singular, caracterizado por eritema gengival, dilatação dos capilares e formação arbustiforme. Em conclusão, gengivite foi a doença periodontal mais comum em pacientes com DRP. A associação observada com a atividade da doença reforça a necessidade de futuros estudos, com o intuito de determinar se a resolução dessa complicação irá influenciar o curso ou a gravidade da doença.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are immunoinflammatory periodontal diseases characterized by chronic localized infections usually associated with insidious inflammation. This narrative review discusses periodontal diseases and mechanisms influencing the immune response and autoimmunity in pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD), particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (C-SLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Gingivitis was more frequently observed in these diseases compared to health controls, whereas periodontitis was a rare finding. In JIA patients, gingivitis and periodontitis were related to mechanical factors, chronic arthritis with functional disability, dysregulation of the immunoinflammatory response, diet and drugs, mainly corticosteroids and cyclosporine. In C-SLE, gingivitis was associated with longer disease period, high doses of corticosteroids, B-cell hyperactivation and immunoglobulin G elevation. There are scarce data on periodontal diseases in JDM population, and a unique gingival pattern, characterized by gingival erythema, capillary dilation and bush-loop formation, was observed in active patients. In conclusion, gingivitis was the most common periodontal disease in PRD. The observed association with disease activity reinforces the need for future studies to determine if resolution of this complication will influence disease course or severity.

[Periodontal disease in pediatric rheumatic diseases]. / Doença periodontal em doenças reumáticas pediátricas.

Gingivitis and periodontitis are immunoinflammatory periodontal diseases characterized by chronic localized infections usually associated with insidious inflammation This narrative review discusses periodontal diseases and mechanisms influencing the immune response and autoimmunity in pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD), particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (C-SLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Gingivitis was more frequently observed in these diseases compared to health controls, whereas periodontitis was a rare finding. In JIA patients, gingivitis and periodontitis were related to mechanical factors, chronic arthritis with functional disability, dysregulation of the immunoinflammatory response, diet and drugs, mainly corticosteroids and cyclosporine. In C-SLE, gingivitis was associated with longer disease period, high doses of corticosteroids, B-cell hyperactivation and immunoglobulin G elevation. There are scarce data on periodontal diseases in JDM population, and a unique gingival pattern, characterized by gingival erythema, capillary dilation and bush-loop formation, was observed in active patients. In conclusion, gingivitis was the most common periodontal disease in PRD. The observed association with disease activity reinforces the need for future studies to determine if resolution of this complication will influence disease course or severity.

Orofacial pain and sensory characteristics of chronic patients compared with controls.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate orofacial and sensorial characteristics of patients with orofacial pain and healthy controls. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control. Seventy-five patients (61 women) who had chronic orofacial pain for more than 6 months (i.e., idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia, burning mouth syndrome, persistent idiopathic facial pain, nonidiopathic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia or temporomandibular disorders were compared with 41 healthy subjects (19 women). They were evaluated with a quantitative sensory testing protocol involving a combination of gustative, olfactory, thermal, mechanical and pain stimuli. Mean pain duration in this population was 6.27 ± 6.06 years. Orofacial characteristics (masticatory and articular abnormalities), oral health and sensitivity to muscular palpation were assessed. RESULTS: The majority of patients (73.3%) had pain upon craniofacial muscle palpation and 46.7% had numbness. High cold thresholds were observed with burning mouth syndrome and nonidiopathic neuropathic pain (P = .017), while high tactile thresholds were observed in persistent idiopathic facial pain patients (P = .048). Persistent idiopathic facial pain and temporomandibular disorders were associated with a low threshold for pain perception (P < .002). Several of these sensorial alterations were associated with positive musculoskeletal findings. CONCLUSIONS: Sensorial abnormalities were observed in neuropathic and somatic pain patients. The masticatory system is associated with and may be a secondary cause of pain in such patients.

Quantitative sensory testing in trigeminal traumatic neuropathic pain and persistent idiopathic facial pain.

The objective of this article was to investigate, with a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing, patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) and others with trigeminal traumatic neuropathic pain (TTN) compared to controls. Thirty patients with PIFP, 19 with TTN, and 30 controls were evaluated on subjective numbness and dysesthesia and with a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing for thermal evaluation (cold and warm), mechanical detection (touch and pinpricks for mechanical pain), superficial pain thresholds, and corneal reflex. We found that PIFP and TTN had numbness and dysesthesia higher than controls (p<0.001 and p=0.003), and that in both of them mechanical pain by pinpricks detection was abnormal intra and extra orally at the mandibular branch (p<0.001). Cold, warm, and tactile detections and pain thresholds were similar among the groups. Corneal reflex was abnormal in TTN (p=0.005). This study supports neuropathic mechanisms involving pain processing in PIFP and that the criterion on absence of sensorial variations in PIFP should be revised.

Quantitative sensory testing in trigeminal traumatic neuropathic pain and persistent idiopathic facial pain / Teste sensitivo quantitativo em dor neuropática trigeminal pós-traumática e dor facial idiopática persistente

The objective of this article was to investigate, with a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing, patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) and others with trigeminal traumatic neuropathic pain (TTN) compared to controls. Thirty patients with PIFP, 19 with TTN, and 30 controls were evaluated on subjective numbness and dysesthesia and with a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing for thermal evaluation (cold and warm), mechanical detection (touch and pinpricks for mechanical pain), superficial pain thresholds, and corneal reflex. We found that PIFP and TTN had numbness and dysesthesia higher than controls (p<0.001 and p=0.003), and that in both of them mechanical pain by pinpricks detection was abnormal intra and extra orally at the mandibular branch (p<0.001). Cold, warm, and tactile detections and pain thresholds were similar among the groups. Corneal reflex was abnormal in TTN (p=0.005). This study supports neuropathic mechanisms involving pain processing in PIFP and that the criterion on absence of sensorial variations in PIFP should be revised.

O objetivo deste artigo foi investigar, com um protocolo sistemático de testes sensitivos quantitativos, pacientes com dor facial idiopática persistente (DFIP) e outros com dor neuropática trigeminal traumática (DNTT) comparado aos controles. Trinta pacientes com DFIP, 19 com DNTT e 30 controles foram avaliados quanto à dormência e à disestesia subjetiva e por meio de um protocolo sistemático de testes sensitivos quantitativos, que incluiu avaliação térmica (frio e quente), detecção mecânica (táctil e alfinetes), limites de dor superficial e reflexo córneo-palpebral. Foi observado que os pacientes apresentaram mais dormência e disestesia do que os controles (p<0,001 e p=0,003), além de mais anormalidades intra e extraorais no ramo mandibular (p<0,001). As alterações de calor, frio, dor e tato foram semelhantes entre os grupos. O reflexo córneo-palpebral foi anormal somente no grupo com DNTT (p=0,005). Este estudo suporta mecanismos de dor neuropática envolvidos no processamento da DFIP, e o critério de ausência de variações sensoriais nesta deve ser revisto.

High prevalence of orofacial complaints in patients with fibromyalgia: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the orofacial complaints and characteristics of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) compared with controls. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated 25 patients diagnosed with FS compared with 25 gender- and age-matched controls by using a detailed clinical protocol for orofacial pain diagnosis and dental examination. RESULTS: FS patients had a higher frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), masticatory complaints, pain with mandibular movements, and pain upon palpation of the head and neck area. There were no significant differences related to the dental exam. CONCLUSIONS: Orofacial complaints including TMD may be present either as symptoms of FS or as a comorbidity associated with this condition. A comprehensive evaluation of patients with FS is necessary to identify the need for specific treatments for orofacial complaints. Future studies, especially those with longitudinal design, should clarify whether a cause-effect relationship exists between orofacial complaints and fibromyalgia.

Xerostomia and salivary flow in patients with orofacial pain compared with controls.

OBJECTIVES: Pain in the orofacial region is frequently reported by patients in dental and medical offices. Facial pain, headache, masticatory abnormalities and other complaints often become chronic and may be associated with local disturbances, such as xerostomia and teeth abnormalities. The objective of this study was to investigate salivary flow and xerostomia in patients with orofacial pain. DESIGN: This was a case-control study; we evaluated 82 patients with chronic orofacial pain compared with 56 healthy subjects using a Clinical Pain Questionnaire (pain characteristics, duration, intensity and descriptors), complete dental examination (including static and dynamic evaluation of the jaw) and a Xerostomia Inventory. The salivary flow was quantitatively evaluated. Data was compared through Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact, analysis of variance (ANOVA) 1 factor and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Patients often had temporomandibular disorder (TMD) (P=0.001) and pain during facial (P<0.001) and neck palpation (P=0.002). There were no differences in dental examination or other structural aspects of the jaw between the groups. There were more complaints associated with xerostomia in the study group, including burning sensation in the oral mucosa (P=0.003), in the throat (P=0.035) and in the stomach (P=0.050). Patients had lower salivary flow (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Orofacial pain patients need to be evaluated with regard to their salivary function, which was often found abnormal in this sample and may have contributed to the complaints of these patients. Assessing salivary flow and xerostomia may help in the treatment of chronic orofacial pain.

Gingival capillary changes and oral motor weakness in juvenile dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the orofacial involvement in JDM, and evaluated the possible association of gingival and mandibular mobility alterations with demographic data, periodontal indices, clinical features, muscle enzyme levels, JDM scores and treatment. METHODS: Twenty-six JDM patients were studied and compared with 22 healthy controls. Orofacial evaluation included clinical features, dental and periodontal assessment, mandibular function and salivary flow. RESULTS: The mean current age was similar in patients with JDM and controls (P > 0.05). A unique gingival alteration characterized by erythema, capillary dilation and bush-loop formation was observed only in JDM patients (61 vs 0%, P = 0.0001). The frequencies of altered mandibular mobility and reduced mouth opening were significantly higher in patients with JDM vs controls (50 vs 14%, P = 0.013; 31 vs 0%, P = 0.005). Comparison of the patients with and without gingival alteration showed that the former had lower values of median of cementoenamel junction (-0.26 vs -0.06 mm, P = 0.013) and higher gingival bleeding index (27.7 vs 14%, P = 0.046). This pattern of gingival alteration was not associated with periodontal disease [plaque index (P =0.332) and dental attachment loss (P = 0.482)]. The medians for skin DAS and current dose of MTX were higher in JDM with gingival alteration (2.5 vs 0.5, P = 0.029; 28.7 vs 15, P = 0.012). A significant association of lower median manual muscle testing with a reduced ability to open the mouth was observed in patients with JDM than those without this alteration (79 vs 80, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The unique gingival pattern associated with cutaneous disease activity, distinct from periodontal disease, suggests that gingiva is a possible target tissue for JDM. In addition, muscle weakness may be a relevant factor for mandibular mobility.

Severe psychosocial compromise in idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia: case report.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes a 60-year-old man with 17 years of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) which affected tooth brushing for 6 years, causing severe dental complications and psychosocial problems. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Following ITN diagnosis, this patient underwent neurosurgery (microcompression of the trigeminal ganglion with a balloon) with immediate relief, but after three months, pain recurred and was accompanied by dysesthesia and periodontal disease. After dental treatment, he had complete alleviation of pain and no further need of medication over the following 3 years. The intense suffering of this patient represents the importance of a multidisciplinary evaluation for pain-caused secondary complications. CONCLUSION: ITN is a simple diagnosis but may have complex course. Appropriately trained health professionals are necessary to evaluate and treat these patients.

Trigeminal pain and quantitative sensory testing in painful peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and painful peripheral neuropathy in order to investigate oral complaints and facial somatosensory findings. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Case-control study; 29 patients (12 women, mean age 57.86 yo) with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and 31 age-gender-matched controls were evaluated with a standardized protocol for general characteristics, orofacial pain, research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders, visual analogue scale and McGill Pain questionnaire, and a systematic protocol of quantitative sensory testing for bilateral facial sensitivity at the areas innervated by the trigeminal branches, which included the thermal detection by ThermoSensi 2, tactile evaluation with vonFrey filaments, and superficial pain thresholds with a superficial algometer (Micromar). Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon, chi-square, confidence intervals and Spearman (p<0.05). RESULTS: Orofacial pain was reported by 55.2% of patients, and the most common descriptor was fatigue (50%); 17.2% had burning mouth. Myofascial temporomandibular disorders were diagnosed in 9 (31%) patients. The study group showed higher sensory thresholds of pain at the right maxillary branch (p=0.017) but sensorial differences were not associated with pain (p=0.608). Glycemia and HbA(1c) were positively correlated with the quantitative sensory testing results of pain (p<0.05) and cold (p=0.044) perceptions. Higher pain thresholds were correlated with higher glycemia and glycated hemoglobin (p=0.027 and p=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of orofacial pain and burning mouth was the most common complaint. The association of loss of pain sensation and higher glycemia and glycated hemoglobin can be of clinical use for the follow-up of DM complications.

Mandibular function is severely impaired in systemic sclerosis patients.

AIMS: To evaluate the presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and its possible association with the severity of skin involvement. METHODS: The presence of TMD was evaluated in 35 SSc women and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls by means of the anamnestic (A(i)) and clinical (D(i)) Helkimo indices; the jaw mobility was further analyzed (M(I)). Skin involvement was scored by the Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS). RESULTS: Signs and symptoms of TMD were more frequent in SSc patients than in controls, the frequency distribution of the different clinical dysfunction indices differing significantly (P < .001) between patients (D(i)0 8.6%, D(i)I 48.6%, D(i)II 22.8%, and D(i)III 20%) and controls (D(i)0 50%, D(i)I 33.3%, and D(i)II 16.7%). Cyclophosphamide for severe and rapidly progressive cutaneous fibrosis was prescribed in six out of seven patients with severe signs (D(i)III), in contrast this treatment was indicated for only two out of 25 patients with mild to moderate signs (D(i)I and D(i)II, P < .001). Impaired jaw mobility was more frequent in SSc patients than controls (P < .001). It was severe in 77.1% (M(I)II) and mild in 22.9% (M(I)I) of the cases, in contrast to controls (M(I)0 33.4%, M(I)I 53.3%, and M(I)II 13.3%; P < .001). Approximately half of SSc patients with severe (M(I)II) but none of those with mild impairment were on cyclophosphamide treatment for severe cutaneous fibrosis (P = .02). CONCLUSION: Severe signs of TMD according to the anamnestic and clinical Helkimo indices were very frequent in SSc patients.

Myofascial trigger point:a possible way of modulating tinnitus.

In order to investigate whether myofascial trigger points can modulate tinnitus, as well as the association between tinnitus and myofascial trigger points, 94 individuals with and 94 without tinnitus, matched by age and gender, were analyzed by means of bilateral digital pressure of 9 muscles. Temporary modulation of tinnitus was frequently observed (55.9%) during digital pressure, mainly in the masseter. The rate of tinnitus modulation was significantly higher on the same side of the myofascial trigger point subject to examination in 6 out of 9 muscles. An association between tinnitus and the presence of myofascial trigger points was observed (p < 0.001), as well as a laterality association between the ear with the worst tinnitus and the side of the body with more myofascial trigger points (p < 0.001). Thus, this relationship could be explained not only by somatosensory-auditory system interactions but also by the influence of the sympathetic system.

Bone formation around titanium implants in the rat tibia: role of insulin.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical and experimental studies show, with few exceptions, that type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with a delay in bone repair around endosseous implants. The effect of insulin in bone repair/remodeling is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the course of histological and ultrastructural changes of the osseointegration process under the influence of insulin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium implants were inserted into the tibiae of male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into three groups: 1) rats with alloxan-induced diabetes; 2) diabetic rats treated with isophane insulin (2 IU/day); and 3) matching controls. Histological and histomorphometric analysis of bone-implant sections were performed 10 and 21 days after implant placement. RESULTS: Relative to control values, rats with alloxan-induced diabetes exhibited a 50% reduction in the area of formed bone (P < 0.001) and in the surface of contact between bone and implant (P < 0.01) 21 days after implant placement. There were no significant differences between groups 10 days after surgery. Values returned to normal levels in diabetic rats after insulin treatment. Presence of chondrocyte-like cells surrounded by a cartilaginouslike matrix in diabetic rats suggests a delay in the process of bone repair. Ultrastructural characteristics of bone-implant interface in diabetic rats treated with insulin resembled those observed in controls. CONCLUSION: The data presented suggest that bone repair around endosseous implants is regulated, at least in part, by insulin. The results imply that the control of the metabolic status of the diabetic patient is essential for a successful osseointegration.