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Clinical Oral Investigations

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Open Access 01-01-2020 | Joint Pain | Original Article

The outcome of a temporomandibular joint compression test for the diagnosis of arthralgia is confounded by concurrent myalgia

Authors: Anna Lövgren, Corine M. Visscher, Per Alstergren, Frank Lobbezoo, Birgitta Häggman-Henrikson, Anders Wänman

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Objective

Pain in the orofacial region may originate from different structures, and one challenge for the clinician is to determine the primary origin of pain reported by the patient. In clinical practice, it is important to discriminate between a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain disorder and jaw muscle pain; therefore, tests that are proposed for such purposes warrant evaluation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of a TMJ compression test in relation to a Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) arthralgia diagnosis.

Methods

A study population (n = 300), randomly selected from the adult population in Västerbotten, Sweden, was examined according to the DC/TMD criteria and with a TMJ compression test. This test is comprised of forceful unilateral biting for 20 s on a wooden spatula in the first molar region. Familiar pain on the contralateral side to the clenching side was considered a positive test outcome.

Results

Positive contralateral outcome of the TMJ compression test was associated with an arthralgia diagnosis (B = 1.737; OR 5.7, 95% CI 3.3–9.9). This association was confounded by concurrent myalgia (B = 1.737 → B = 0.996, 42.7%).

Conclusion

In a general population, a negative TMJ compression test was strongly associated with the absence of a contralateral TMJ arthralgia diagnosis according to DC/TMD. The association between a positive TMJ compression test and a DC/TMD arthralgia diagnosis was confounded by the presence of myalgia.

Clinical relevance

Concurrent myalgia renders the usefulness of the TMJ compression test for predicting an arthralgia diagnosis questionable.

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Title: The outcome of a temporomandibular joint compression test for the diagnosis of arthralgia is confounded by concurrent myalgia
Authors: Anna Lövgren
Corine M. Visscher
Per Alstergren
Frank Lobbezoo
Birgitta Häggman-Henrikson
Anders Wänman
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Joint Pain
Craniomandibular Dysfunction and Stress
Myalgie
Myalgia
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-019-02891-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The outcome of a temporomandibular joint compression test for the diagnosis of arthralgia is confounded by concurrent myalgia

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical relevance

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Clinical relevance

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