Myofascial Pain in War Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Objectives: This study is aimed to investigate occurrence of myofascial pain syndrome in a group of Croatian war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and to compare them with a healthy normal control [HNC] group, and to describe the most frequent locations of trigger points in the head and neck region. Methods: A total of 202 male subjects participated in the examination. They were divided into a group of war veterans suffering from a PTSD and an HNC group. The first group consisted of 101 war veterans with PTSD [mean age = 47.22 years, range = 33-73 years]; the HNC group consisted of 101 subjects [mean age = 46.72 years, range = 34-61 years] who did not participate in the War of Independence. Results: The PTSD group revealed a higher prevalence of headaches [p<0.001], cervical spine problems [p<0.001], jaw clicking and popping [p = 0.032], teeth grinding or clenching during the day [p<0.001], teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping [p<0.001], jaw ache in the morning [p<0.001], jaw problems while chewing [p<0.001], parafunctions [p<0.001], muscle stiffness [p<0.001], and trigger points [p<0.001] than the HNC group. Conclusion: The frequency of myofascial pain among war veterans with PTSD is significantly higher than in the HNC group. Myofascial pain must be considered among patients with PTSD, and if diagnosed must be treated in order to improve primary therapy of PTSD, and to improve quality of life of the patients.