Oral health-related quality of life and cognitive functioning in myofascial temporomandibular disorders pain

Aim: The aims of the study were to assess whether the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is decreased in patients with temporomandibular disorders –myalgic type, to evaluate to what extent myofascial pain intensity affects OHRQoL and to investigate the relationships between cognitive function and OHRQoL. Subject or material and methods: The study included 45 patients diagnosed with the muscle-related temporomandibular disorders. The study group consisted of twenty three people with painful form of disorder. The control consisted of twenty two people without pain experience. The study was a part of a larger research project. The data to be analyzed for this article was obtained in the course of a single questionnaire survey conducted prior to the start of the treatment process. Results: The results show that the study group suffering from myofascial pain experiences related to temporomandibular disorders of myalgic type consistently reported higher quality of life levels than the patient group who reported lack of pain experiences. In principle the better OHRQoL, the poorer cognitive functioning in most neurocognitive domains investigated in the study. Discussion: The results, however surprising, may indicate specific relationships between factors analyzed in the study. These need to be confirmed with larger sample, taking into account general quality of patients life and psychoemotional factors. Conclusions: OHRQoL of patients with temporomandibular disorders shows a co-variation with certain aspects of cognitive functioning. The results should be considered with a caution that is resulting from the limitations of the research sample