Correlation of clinical findings of temporomandibular joint with serological results in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the frequency of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to find out the correlation of serological tests with clinical symptoms of TMJs in RA patients.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 patients with RA classified into two groups according to their duration of the disease. Clinical examination as well as laboratory tests were done for participants.

RESULTS

The frequency of TMJ involvement clinically was 15% in Group A and 40% in Group B. The most frequently observed clinical symptom was facial pain (25%), and the slightest symptom was clicking (2.5%) during mouth opening. There was a positive correlation between ESR, RF, CRP and anti-CCP and clinical sign and symptoms of TMJs in RA patients. An elevated ESR, RF CRP and anti-CCP may indicate the presence of TMJ complains in RA patients. The chronicity of RA affects the frequency of TMJ involvement clinically, patients with longer disease duration have more clinical symptoms of TMJs. An elevated level of ESR, RF, CRP and anti-CCP predict clinical symptoms of TMJs.