The impact of temporomandibular joint arthritis on functional disability and global health in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis on the functional disability and quality of life in patients affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Materials and Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients with JIA with or without TMJ arthritis and 35 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The demographic data, disease activity and clinical characteristics were obtained from all patients. The functional disability was assessed using the Italian version of the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (C-HAQ). The oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed using the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ 11-14 ). Possible determining factors of TMJ arthritis comprised demographic, disease characteristics and scores derived from questionnaires that were assessed by a uni and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Compared with patients without TMJs arthritis, JIA patients with TMJ arthritis presented higher functional disability. The multivariable logistic regression analysis performed showed that female subjects (OR = 1.5, P = 0.041), with a JIA duration over 3.9 years (OR = 2.7, P = 0.033) and presenting higher C-HAQ and CPQ 11-14 scores (OR = 2.7, P = 0.012 and OR = 2.9, P = 0.015, respectively) were the greatest determining factors for TMJ arthritis. Conclusions: JIA patients with TMJ arthritis presented higher functional disability and lower OHRQoL scores compared with JIA patients without TMJ arthritis. TMJ arthritis was strongly associated with JIA duration and activity, especially in female patients.