Health-related quality of life in child patients with temporomandibular disorder pain

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) occurs frequently in children and measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) can complement efficacy measures, offering a complete picture of the impact of disease and treatment on overall well-being. Aim: To compare HRQL, pain threshold (PT) and range of motion (ROM) in child patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain and an age and gender matched control group. Methods: The study design was a controlled cross-sectional study. Forty-two children participated in the study. Twenty-one child patients referred to a dental pediatric clinic for specialist treatment because of TMD pain and an age and gender matched control group completed the Child health questionnaire-child form 87 (CHQ-CF87). PT was measured with Pain matcher (R) and ROM in terms of maximum unassisted mandibular opening was measured with a ruler. Results: The child patients with pain more than once a week had a pain duration ranging from 3 months to almost 6 years. The median for pain intensity measured with visual analogue scale (VAS) was 47 ranging from 5 to 80 and the median for behavioral rating scale (BRS) was 3 ranging from 1 to 4. Child patients with TMD pain more than once a week reported significantly lower scores in CHQ-CF87 when compared with a control group. The results for PT and ROM were non-significant. Conclusion: CHQ-CF87 could be used for measuring health and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment in child patients with TMD pain. (c) 2006 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.