Does marital status influence TMD-related chronic pain? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Pain is a complex sensory experience and can be influenced by psychosocial factors, such as romantic relationships.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between marital status and temporomandibular disorder-related chronic pain.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) through Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I were assessed for chronic pain and marital and socioeconomic status, according to Axis II. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the association between chronic pain and the predictive variables.

RESULTS

Three hundred and ten patients were included in the sample, the majority being female (74.5%), single (52.3%), and diagnosed with chronic pain (85.1%). The adjusted analysis showed about a 5-time greater chance of chronic pain occurrence with high disability in individuals who were married or in a common-law marriage (OR 5.99; 95% CI 1.45-24.73). Also, women were 7.62 times more likely to develop chronic pain with high disability (OR 7.62; 95% CI 2.03-28.52).

CONCLUSION

Marital status showed an impact on chronic pain, with married individuals and those in a common-law marriage being the most affected by high disability chronic pain.