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. 2018 Nov 22;14(1):26.
doi: 10.1186/s13005-018-0183-3.

Antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor positivity in temporomandibular disorders

Ji Rak Kim  1 , Jung Hwan Jo  2 , Jin Woo Chung  3 , Ji Woon Park  4
Affiliations

Antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor positivity in temporomandibular disorders

Ji Rak Kim et al. Head Face Med. .

Abstract

Background: To investigate the differences in clinical characteristics and long-term treatment outcomes according to antinuclear antibody(ANA) and rheumatoid factor(RF) positivity and the correlation between pain-related and hematological indices in temporomandibular disorders(TMD) patients.

Methods: Clinical examinations were done following the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD in 257 patients. Comprehensive screening along with psychological and hematological evaluations (ANA, RF, complete blood cell count, C-reactive protein[CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate[ESR]) were conducted. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were statistically compared between ANA/RF positive and negative groups.

Results: Thirty-nine patients showed ANA/RF positivity. Male patients had smaller comfortable mouth opening(CMO)(p = 0.033) and maximum mouth opening(MMO)(p = 0.016) ranges with more painful neck muscles on palpation when RF/ANA positive. Pain duration, intensity, disability days and psychological distress levels were also higher in RF/ANA positive male patients. Significant correlation was shown in ESR with pain duration(p < 0.05) and numeric rating scale(NRS) before treatment(p < 0.05), CRP with NRS before treatment(p < 0.01), and red blood cell (RBC) with pain intensity(p < 0.05), NRS before treatment(p < 0.01), CMO(p < 0.01), pain on palpation of cervical muscles(p < 0.01), CMO(p < 0.05), and MMO(p < 0.05) 6 months after treatment.

Conclusions: These results may point towards a nonspecific autoimmune disposition in a subgroup of TMD patients. RF and ANA could be considered as a screening test for the detection of autoimmune phenomena in TMD.

Keywords: Antinuclear antibodies; Autoimmunity; Hematologic tests; Rheumatoid factor; Temporomandibular joint disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Seoul National University Dental Hospital (CRI #15018). The IRB authorized the exemption of informed consent from the subjects.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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