Oral and Temporomandibular Joint Signs and Symptoms in New Cases of Autoimmune Connective-Tissue Diseases before the Treatment Onset

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune connective-tissue diseases have showed increasing prevalence which results in increased prevalence rate of oral and maxillofacial manifestations. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess oral and temporomandibular joint manifestations among new cases of autoimmune connective-tissue disease before treatment onset. This descriptive cross-sectional study performed on 100 new cases of autoimmune connective-tissue disease that were simply selected among patients in clinics of rheumatological clinics and offices. Materials & Method: Data were registered in the patients chart in which included: age, sex, type of autoimmune disease, location of lesions, oral and TMJ manifestation and abnormal findings in examination of TMJ. The data were analysed with SPSS soft ware and the results excluded with Chi-square and exact Fischer test. Results: In this study 94 of patients were female and 6 were male with age average of 44years. Among these patients 89 had RA, 8 had Systemic Lupus Erythmatosous (SLE), and 3 had polymyositis /dermatomiositis (PM/DM). About 13 of patients had oral lesions in which oral ulcer was the most prevalent one. There was a significant relationship between oral symptom with abnormal findings in TMJ examination (p value 0.0002) and with the type of connective tissue disease (RA, SLE). (p value 0.0107). Conclusion: This study showed oral manifestation and TMJ abnormal findings. Therefore, according to the results, complete oral examination and treatment of oral lesions and TMJ abnormal findings from initial diagnosis is suggested.