Temporomandibular joint involvement in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis – Preliminary Report

Publication date: Available online 24 July 2018

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Shelly Abramowicz, Joshua M. Levy, Sampath Prahalad, Curtis D. Travers, Sheila T. Angeles-Han

ABSTRACT

Background

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are at risk for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis. This can lead to pain, limited mouth opening, facial asymmetry, and malocclusion. Our objective was to characterize patients with JIA and TMJ involvement in a single center.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of children with JIA evaluated at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Inclusion criteria were confirmed JIA and jaw complaints. Medical records were reviewed to document demographics, JIA information, age at first TMJ complaint, and involvement of other joints. Descriptive statistics were computed.

Results

Majority of patients were white (mean age 13 years, range 5-18) with polyarticular RF negative or oligoarticular persistent JIA. Some were ANA positive, RF positive, and/or HLA-B27 positive. Patients had involvement of other joints (e.g. fingers, knees, wrists). Of those with TMJ symptoms, 6 (10%) had TMJ arthritis.

Conclusions

In our cohort, 60 patients only 10% of patients were diagnosed with TMJ arthritis. In this population, patients who are female, white, RF negative, HLA-B27 negative, ANA negative, poly RF negative subtype, and have involvement of other joints have a higher likelihood of having TMJ symptoms. If a patient meets these criteria, careful evaluation of TMJs should take place.

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