ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and nature of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with symptoms in this joint, and to investigate the relationship of symptoms to the C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and Steinbrocker stage. Clinical examination of the range of motion of the TMJ was performed in 218 RA patients. In addition, correlations between the maximal mouth opening and the severity of RA were studied. Restriction in opening the mouth (defined as ≤ 30 mm movement in the central incisor region from the fully occluded to maximally open positions) was observed in 12.8% of the RA patients (28/218). The CRP, ESR and Steinbrocker stage were all correlated with maximal opening (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the severity of RA and the range of motion of the jaw.
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Notes on contributors
Akihiro Yoshida
Dr. Akihiro Yoshida received his D.D.S. degree from Kyushu University, Faculty of Dentistry in Fukuoka, Japan in 1993. He has been involved in clinical practice and research on oral and maxillofacial surgery and rheumatology. Dr. Yoshida is currently a postgraduate student in the Ph.D. degree program at the First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University.
Yoshinori Higuchi
Dr. Yoshinori Higuchi received his D.D.S. degree from Kyushu University, Faculty of Dentistry in Fukuoka, Japan in 1974, and his Ph.D. degree from the same university in 1983. He has been involved in clinical practice and research on oral and maxillofacial surgery and pathology. Dr. Higuchi is currently a chief in the Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, National Kyushu Medical Center Hospital in Fukuoka, Japan. He is a member of the International Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Masakazu Kondo
Dr. Masakazu Kondo received his M.D. degree from Kyushu University, Faculty of Medicine in Fukuoka, Japan in 1973. He has been involved in clinical practice and research on orthopedic surgery and rheumatology. Dr. Kondo is currently a chief in the Division of Rheumatic Disease, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Kyushu Medical Center Hospital in Fukuoka, Japan.
Osamu Tabata
Dr. Osamu Tabata received his D.D.S. degree from Kyushu University, Faculty of Dentistry in Fukuoka, Japan in 1981, and his Ph.D. degree from the same university in 1998. He has been involved in clinical practice and research on oral and maxillofacial radiology and temporomandibular dysfunction. Dr. Tabata is currently an instructor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University. He is a member of the International Association for Dent-Maxillofacial Radiology.
Masamichi Ohishi
Dr. Masamichi Ohishi received his M.D. degree from Kyushu University, Faculty of Medicine in Fukuoka, Japan in 1966, his D.D.S. degree in 1974 from Kyushu University, Faculty of Dentistry in Fukuoka, Japan, and his PhD. degree from the same university in 1978. He has been involved in clinical practice and research on oral and maxillofacial surgery, cleft lip and palate and immunology. Dr. Ohishi is currently a professor of the First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University. He is a member of the International Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and European Association for Cranio-Maxillafacial Surgery.