Influence of coping strategies on oral health-related quality of life in patients with myalgia

Objective:To identify coping strategies used by patients with myalgia and to assess the influence of pain characteristics and coping attitudes on their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed with myalgia due to temporomandibular disorders were included in this study. They were administered a three-part questionnaire. For preselecting associated coping variables, correlation analysis was performed between coping strategies and OHRQoL domains. A block-wise hierarchical multiple regression analysis was carried out to evaluate whether coping strategies had any influence on OHRQoL. Results: Notable trends were found between coping strategies and demographic variables and pain characteristics. OHRQoL appeared to worsen with pain severity and with coping strategies that reveal passive or avoidant attitudes of the patient. Discussion: Individual coping strategies should be considered while managing myalgia. A multidisciplinary approach that aims to help these patients acquire suitable coping strategies may be useful in improving their OHRQoL.