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Int J Med Sci 2021; 18(14):3158-3170. doi:10.7150/ijms.45226 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIMs) Patients: An Observational Study

Vito Crincoli¹, Mariangela Cannavale², Angela Pia Cazzolla³ , Mario Dioguardi³, Maria Grazia Piancino², Mariasevera Di Comite¹

1. Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sensory Organs, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
2. Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Italy.
3. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Via Rovelli 50, 71122 Foggia, Italy.

✉ Corresponding author: E-mail: elicioit.

Abstract

Aim: Inflammatory idiopathic myopathies (IIMs) are inflammatory processes affecting skeletal musculature and extramuscular organs. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) involve jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint. The aim of this observational study was to investigate the prevalence of the main TMD symptoms and signs as well as oral implications in IIM patients.

Methods: The study group included 54 patients (42 women and 12 men), 22 of whom affected by dermatomyositis (DM), 29 by polymyositis (PM) and 3 by inclusion body myositis (IBM). A group of 54 patients not affected by this disease, served as CG. Oral and TMD signs and symptoms were evaluated by means of a questionnaire and through clinical examination.

Results: About oral symptoms, the study group complained more frequently dysgeusia, with loss of taste or unpleasant taste (p<0.0001) and feeling of burning mouth (9.4% versus 0 controls). Xerostomia was more prevalent in the study group respect to the CG (p<0.0001). Dysphagia was reported by 48.1% of IIM patients while was absent in CG (p<0.0001). About oral signs, cheilitis (p<0.05) and oral ulcers (p<0.05) were significantly more frequent in CG. As regard to TMD symptoms, arthralgia and tinnitus didn't showed significant differences between the two groups, while neck/shoulders and masticatory muscle pain was significantly more referred in IIM patients than in the CG (p<0.05). About TMJ signs, sounds were overlapping in the two groups: click=11.1% in both IIM patients and CG (p>0.05), crepitation in 11.1% of IIM and 9.3% of controls (p>0.05). No significant difference was detected about deflection (9.3%, p>0.05), while deviation was wider in CG (p<0.05). Active opening and lateralities showed no significant differences, while endfeel was significantly increased in IIM group for a higher presence of muscular contracture. Bruxism was present only in CG.

Conclusion: The data collected from this observational study seem to support the existence of a relationship between the prevalence of TMD symptoms and signs as well as oral features in patients with myositis. A remarkable reduction of salivary flow and dysphagia were more frequent and severe in IIM patients, as well as muscle contracture and myofacial pain evoked by palpation, this result being highly significant.

Keywords: inflammatory idiopathic myopathies, oral signs and symptoms, temporomandibular disorders

Introduction

Inflammatory idiopathic myopathies (IIM) refer to a rare heterogeneous group of acquired muscle diseases, due to still unknown causes and characterized by an inflammatory process affecting skeletal musculature and extramuscular organs [1].

The IIMs can be subgrouped into dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM) and inclusion body myositis (IBM) [2]. The incidence is up to 11 new cases per million inhabitants per year, while the prevalence is 14 out of 100,000 inhabitants [3]. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1, though significant differences are present among the subgroups [4].

While PM generally affects individuals aged >18 years and IBM >50 years, DM occurs in all ages. Therefore, in children there is almost exclusively DM, which seems to configure a distinct clinical-pathological form. The most accredited etiopathogenesis is the intervention of exogenous factors capable of triggering an immune and/or autoimmune reaction with a genetically predisposed subject (carrier of the HLA-DRB1 and DRA1 antigens), leading to a muscle damage [5]. Triggering factors have been supposed to be those viruses that frequently cause muscular symptoms such as Coxsackie, Echovirus, influenza A and B, hepatitis B and C, Herpes, rubella, Epstein-Barr virus and also retroviruses [6]. Non-infectious agents are reputed to be D-penicillamine, L-tryptophan, hypocholesterolomizing agents, interleukin-2, growth hormone, silicone or collagen surgical prostheses, exposure to dust of silica polyvinyl chloride or organic solvents.

The clinical picture of PM and IBM is dominated by muscular weakness, which mainly affects the proximal musculature of the limbs and girdles in a prevalent and symmetrical way. Neck, respiratory and masticatory muscles may be involved, with swallowing impairment and alteration of phonation. Gastrointestinal, pulmonary, renal, articular, and other connective tissue diseases have been described, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis [7, 8], or rarely Sjögren's syndrome [9]. The cutaneous manifestations are characteristic of the DM. A significantly specific sign is the heliotropic rash: purplish coloring of the upper eyelids, sometimes accompanied by edema [10].

Multiple oral manifestations can occur in patients with DM, even severe cases of oral cancer, and sometimes they represent the first sign of the disease [11, 12]. Oral features include erythematous mucosal lesions, ulcers, gingival telangiectasias and lingual atrophy, with consequent dysgeusia [13-18]. Hyposalivation is present and predispose patients to an increased risk of developing caries, gingival inflammation, periodontal disease, oral infections, especially from fungi of the genus Candida and from staphylococcal superinfection in angular cheilitis [19-21].

About dysphagia in DM, the mechanism is not yet entirely clear but it is thought to be associated with an inefficiency of the laryngeal and subhyoid muscles and an altered functionality of the upper esophageal sphincter [22-27].

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are considered a distinct subgroup of musculoskeletal and rheumatoid disorders involving the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the jaw muscles. They represent the most important cause of orofacial pain of non-dental origin, with up to 93% of the general population showing at least one TMD symptom or sign. TMD include pain, headaches located in temporal area, masticatory muscle fatigue and limited mandibular movement. These altered functions can lead to difficulties in eating, drinking and swallowing, causing a TMD related oral stage dysphagia (OD) and weight loss. Autoimmune diseases, such as psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren Syndrome can involve TMJ, leading to a breakdown of the cartilage matrix and bone destruction, with condylar flattening, cortical erosions, osteophytes, sub cortical cysts, osseous sclerosis and gradual decrease in joint space due to granulation. The osseous damage is often responsible of crepitus, a TMD sound noticeable during function, while clicking is usually related to a disc displacement [28-31].

A possible risk factor of TMD is represented by bruxism, a repetitive jaw-muscle activity occurring during sleep (identified as rhythmic or non-rhythmic) and/or awakefulness (with repetitive or sustained dental contact and/or bracing or thrusting of the mandible) [32-34]. It becomes pathological when associated with myalgia (due to ischemia and accumulation of metabolic biomarkers in the muscle tissue) and joint pain [17, 35]. Hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles is often present.

Currently the literature lacks studies about bruxism in IIMs patients, so this relationship is still unclear. IIMs are characterized by a condition of muscle weakness, caused by a loss of muscle mass and a reduced intrinsic contractility, so this altered function could lead to an unlikely presence of bruxism or, at least, to its marginal role.

On the other side, myalgia during chewing and the positive palpation of most of the stomatognathic muscles confirm that the dermatomyositis/polymyositis seems to play a role in TMD with regards to muscle contracture and soreness, while it is not believed to be involved in joint pain.

Given this background, the aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the prevalence of oral manifestations and main TMJ symptoms and signs in a sample, homogeneous for ethnic origin, of IIM patients on drug therapy, compared with a CG.

Materials and Methods

This observational study was performed between November 2017 and January 2019 at the School of Dentistry of the University of Bari, Italy, in accordance with the provisions of the Helsinki declaration and approved by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Polyclinic of Bari (No. 4900/93348/2015). All patients signed an informed consent.

Fifty-four patients (42 women and 12 men) with DM (22), PM (29) and IBM (3) were recruited in the Complex Operating Unit of Rheumatology, University of Bari, Italy (Table 1).

Inclusion criteria included Caucasian origin and age over 18 years. The exclusion criteria included previous facial trauma, head and neck neoplasia, patients who underwent maxillofacial surgery.

A control group of 54 patients matched by sex (42 women and 12 men), was selected among those presenting at the Dental Clinic for routine oral visit by a randomization list automatically generated (Microsoft Excel) prior to the start of this study.

A patient's medical history was collected, taking into account demographic data (age, marital status, level of education, profession) (Table 2), drugs taken and any comorbidities.

Selective and targeted laboratory tests were not compared with CG, which does not require such investigations (Table 3).

Finally, MMT-8 and MMT-TIGHT evaluations were assessed (Figure 1).

A single practitioner assessed both orofacial manifestations and TMJ features through an anamnestic questionnaire and a clinical examination. Symptoms and signs of the study group were compared to those present in the CG.

 Figure 1 

Mean values (± SD) of MMT-8 and MMT-TIGHT evaluations in patient group and controls.

Patients' history

The history questionnaire was used for a dual evaluation: a) Oral symptoms; b) TMD symptoms.

Oral symptoms

(i) Xerostomia: it is a complaint of dryness of oral cavity. It is classified as true xerostomia, due to malfunction of the salivary glands, or pseudo xerostomia (xerostomia symptomatica), in the course of which the patient has a subjective impression of dry mouth despite a normal secretory function. Xerostomia affects mostly menopausal women and individuals above 65 years of age. It is associated to discomfort in activities such as eating, speaking, swallowing and wearing dentures. Xerostomia can cause a high caries rate and an increased incidence of Candida infection, promoting dental plaque accumulation and periodontal disease [36-38].

(ii) Dysgeusia: defined a distorted gustatory perception, often due to a zinc deficiency or to an obstruction of selective taste receptors in taste cells, that can be induced by an autoimmune mechanism. It is an inability to discriminate all the basic tastes (total dysgeusia) or a limited number of basic tastes (partial dysgeusia). Patients report that they perceive bitter, sour, or metallic flavors [39, 40].

(iii) Stomatodynia: a burning sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue, associated with hurtful sensation or pain, even though oral mucosa appears clinically normal. It is often accompanied by other sensory disorders, such as xerostomia and dysgeusia [41, 42].

(iv) Dysphagia: it may be complained by the patient as a sensor and/or motor difficulty in the passage of solids from the mouth to the esophagus, probably due to bad training of the bolus, as a result of the reduction in salivary flow or tooth loss. All the above mentioned data were collected as categorical.

TMD Symptoms (TMDs)

The presence/absence of the following complaints (TMDs) was recorded: (i) masticatory muscle pain; (ii) tenderness or stiffness in the neck and upper shoulders; (iii) muscle pain during use of the jaw (chewing, etc.); (iv) tenderness or pain in the joint area (arthralgia); (v) difficulty in opening the mouth, a feeling that the jaw was stuck or locked; (vi) less common symptoms, such as dizziness, earache and tinnitus; (vii) headaches located in temporal area [43].

Headache attributed to TMD is usually most prominent in the temporal region, preauricular area of the face and/or masseter muscle. Diagnostic criteria are: (i) Clinical evidence of TMD; (ii) Evidence of causation demonstrated by at least two of the following criteria:

• The headache develops in temporal relation to the onset of the TMD;
• The headache is aggravated by jaw motion (e.g. chewing, bruxism);
• The headache is provoked on physical examination by temporalis muscle palpation and/or passive movement of the jaw;
• The headache improves or disappears as the TMJ disorder improves or resolves.

If the headache is unilateral, it is located ipsilaterally to the side of the TMD, while it is bilateral when the underlying pathology involves both temporomandibular regions [44].

In detail, patients were asked if they had pain in the face, jaw, temple and ear and if this facial pain was persistent, recurrent or was it only a one-time problem. They selected the intensity of perceived current pain on a 100 mm Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) from 0 to 10. They also referred how much, in the past six months, had facial pain changed their ability to work and to take part in recreational, social and family activities. Through the questionnaire, patients informed the physician about the past or current difficulty in opening the mouth and if this limitation in jaw opening was severe enough to interfere with their ability to eat and swallow. The presence of TMJ sounds (click, pop or crepitation when chewing, opening or closing the mouth) was recorded, as well as tenderness or pain in the joint area (arthralgia), earache, tinnitus and headaches. Also the presence/absence of systemic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus erythematosus), or injuries was assessed.

Clinical examination

A clinical examination was performed, leaving out I and II level radiological investigations, thus eliminating any type of biological risk for the patient. The exam included a part aimed at the research of oral manifestations and an inherent part finalized to detect the main signs of temporomandibular dysfunction. A single operator conducted the procedure, in order to reduce the bias.

Oral signs

The presence/absence of a wide spectrum of signs was taken into account:

• Oral ulcers: presence of oval or roundish sores inside the mouth;
• Petechiae: small (< 3mm) red or brown pinpoint lesions not blanching on pressure, caused by a minor bleed from broken blood vessels, localized more frequently on the hard and soft palate;
• Erythema: reddish and inflamed area on buccal mucosa;
• Cheilitis of lower lip: inflammation state, characterized by redness, swelling and ulcers on lower lip;
• Other oral characteristics analyzed were the integrity of the dental arches or presence of partial or total edentulism and presence/absence of prostheses (mobile, fixed or both).

Muscle pain

An important part of the clinical examination of TMD is the assessment of deep pain sensitivity in muscles and joints using manual palpation [45].

A single physician applied a digital pressure on neck and masticatory muscles on the right and left side separately. Prior to palpation, finger pressure was calibrated using an algometer, in order to standardize the pressure [46].

As recommended by the DC/TMD, the digital palpation was carried out with a pressure of 1.0 kgf to the extraoral sites and approximately 0.5 kgf to the intraoral sites for 2 seconds for the diagnosis of myalgia, increasing the duration up to 5 seconds for the diagnosis of referred pain [34, 47].

Anterior, middle and posterior temporalis, superficial masseter, internal pterygoid, digastric, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid and subhyoid muscles were examined extraorally, while external pterygoid, deep masseter and mylohyoid muscles were palpated intraorally. Flat palpation (e.g. on temporalis muscle) or pincher palpation (e.g. on masseter, trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid muscles) were performed. Patients were asked to select the intensity of perceived pain for each muscle according to the following scale: 0= No Pain or just pressure, 1= Mild Pain, 2= Moderate Pain, 3= Severe Pain.

In addition, the condylar lateral pole was palpated to assess the presence/absence of arthralgia, one of the most common pain-related TMD conditions. The lateral pole was identified by placing the index finger just anterior to the tragus of the ear and on the skin overlying TMJ.

A pressure of 1.0 kgf was applied around the lateral pole of the condyle in the protruded position of the mandible for 5 seconds, while a 0.5-kg stimulus was applicated for 2 seconds at the lateral pole with the mandible in a relaxed position [45, 48-50].

TMD signs

Sounds (TMJs)

The presence/absence of TMJ sounds was evaluated. They are perceived by placing the fingertips on the lateral surface of the condyle on each side separately, during the opening and closing movements of the mandible. Clicking is considered a net, loud joint sound of short duration. It can be single or reciprocal, early or late. Crepitation is a multiple, rough, gravel-like sounds described as grating.

Bruxism (BRUX)

It is a repetitive jaw muscle activity, involving central neurological circuits, in particular the dopaminergic transmission, and is characterized by clenching, grinding and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible. It is possible to distinguish sleep bruxism (SB) from awake one (AB).

It becomes pathological when associated with myalgia (due to ischemia and accumulation of catabolites in the muscle tissue) and joint pain [17, 35].

Intraoral signs related to bruxism can be: (i) buccal occlusal line; (ii) dental mold on the tongue edges; or, (iii) presence of masticatory muscle hypertrophy. Sometimes, however, even an impaired chewing activity, such as swallowing, can be responsible of these features. In addition: (iv) wear facets, with loss of vertical dimension of occlusion; (v) dental mobility; (vi) failures of dental restorations and/or prosthodontic rehabilitations can be indicative of a probable sleep/awake bruxism. The definite diagnosis of bruxism is given by the use of electromyography, which records level and duration of EMG masticatory activity.

Non-instrumental approaches for assessing bruxism, used in the present work, included self-report (medical history, questionnaires) and clinical inspection.

About SB, patients were asked if they had been told, or had noticed themselves, that they grind their teeth or clench their jaws when they sleep. However, most subjects were unaware of this habit, as it develops unconsciously, and the partner's history was often clarifying. To assess AB, patient were likewise asked whether they grind their teeth or clench their jaws during the day. A positive self-report was considered suggestive of possible bruxism [32, 33, 51, 52].

Opening derangement (OD)

In a healthy masticatory system, the opening path taken on the frontal plane by the jaw is straight. Qualitative changes in the opening route are classified as: (i) Deviation: any displacement of the jaw from the midline during the opening that disappears continuing the opening (return to the midline), (ii) Deflection: any displacement of the jaw from the median line that does not disappear in maximum opening and increases by continuing the opening.

Restricted movements (RM)

1) Reduced opening: in a healthy masticatory system, the mouth opens between 40-60 mm, taking into account the overbite. A mandibular movement is considered reduced when the distance between the incisal margins is <40 mm.

2) End-feel: this parameter assesses the quality of movement perceived by the examiner at the end of the passive range-of-motion and is conditioned by the structures that are limiting the movement. It is tested by placing the thumb and the index fingers between patient's upper and lower incisors at the maximal active mouth opening and applying a downward force to passively increase the incisal distance. A soft endfeel and increased mouth opening suggests muscle-caused restriction, while a hard and not increased opening is more likely to be associated with intracapsular sources (e.g. disc displacement without reduction) [53].

Both the maximal active and the passive openings were measured using a caliper or ruler. End-feel was recorded as “positive” when it was above the 2 mm. - the physiological stretching of the ligaments (joint play) - allowing the extent of a paucisymptomatic muscle contracture to be evaluated and compared not as a subjective complaint, but in numerical terms.

3) Lateral excursion: right and left lateral shifts were recorded when the distance from upper to lower median line was <8 mm.

4) Mandibular protrusion: mean values range between 7 and 10 mm. It was recorded when <7 mm.

Statistical Analysis

The prevalence of signs and symptoms was analyzed in all the groups described above. The categorical data were expressed as numbers and percentages and compared using Chi-squared test (χ²) or Fisher's exact test. The continuous data were reported as mean values and standard deviation (SD) and then compared using the unpaired Student's T test. In all comparisons, values with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.

A preliminary analysis on the reliability of the used set of scale was carried out through Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Pooling together patients and control group, computation of such a coefficient was first performed on each of the two sets of items identifying symptoms and signs, and then on the union of these two sets.

Statistical analyses were performed using Prism (GraphPad software, version 6.0, San Diego, California) and R (v. 3.6.1 2019).

Results

Demographic Data

The demographic data cannot be used as discriminators of the pathology and do not show significant differences between the two groups.

Comorbidity

About comorbidities affecting the two groups, the most significant differences concern pathologies such as osteopenia/osteoporosis, thyroid dysfunctions, blood, cardiac, hepatic and gastrointestinal diseases. There are no significant statistical tests for pathologies such as hypovitaminosis, kidney diseases, dyslipidemias, diabetes, lung diseases, hypertension, nervous system diseases and valvular diseases. Lymphadenopathy is absent in both groups (Table 4).

The presence/absence of characteristic aspects of myositis such as Raynaud phenomenon, skin lesions, interstitial lung disease (ILD) and arthritis were assessed (Table 5).

Pharmacological therapy

Drugs usually given in the myositis sample, such as corticosteroids (68.5%), methotrexate (31.5%), azathioprine (29.6%), mycophenolate (18.5%), immunoglobulin (13.0%) and rituximab (9.3%) are usually absent in CG (Table 6).

No statistical test has proved to be significant about bisphosphonates, diuretics, opioid analgesics, antidepressants, antidiabetics, asa, benzodiazepines, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, hydroxychloroquine, statins, tocilizumab and vasodilators. For muscle relaxants and fans/antirheumatics, differences have been detected (Table 7).

Oral symptoms

The assessment of referred oral symptoms, obtained from written responses to the questionnaire, revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups for each oral symptom considered, as listed in Table 8.

TMJ symptoms

Tinnitus, arthralgia and temporal headache do not show significant differences between the two groups, considering these data as categorical (absence/presence of pain) (Table 9a), while mean values of perceived pain intensity are significantly higher in patient group as regard to headache localized in temporal area (Table 9b).

Muscular symptoms

Neck/shoulders and masticatory muscle pain is significantly more present in the group of patients with myositis than in the CG. These categorical data were analyzed using the χ² test (Table 10a).

Pain intensity of masticatory and neck/shoulder muscles is higher in study group (Table 10b).

 Figure 2 

Mean values (±SD) of intensity of perceived myofascial pain under palpation in patient groups and controls according to the following scale: 0= No Pain or just pressure, 1= Mild Pain, 2 = Moderate Pain, 3= Severe Pain (Unpaired T-test; p=0.015).

The muscolar palpation reveals a higher intensity of perceived myofascial pain in patients group (Figure 2).

Oral signs

Erythema showed no statistical significance between the two groups.

The ulcers were analyzed using the Fisher exact test while the cheilitis of the lower lip the Fisher's exact test, both appearing with greater prevalence in the CG (Table 11).

No other manifestations, such as Candidiasis or petechiae were detected in either groups.

Oral status

The oral status analyzed the presence/absence of partial or total edentulism. It was prevalent in the group of patients with myositis (24.1%), while, in CG, no patient was edentulous. This data were analyzed using the χ² test (Table 12).

TMJ signs

Clicks in opening, mutual click, crackling and snap were evaluated. These last two data did not show a statistically significant difference, while the opening click and the mutual click occurred with greater prevalence in CG (Table 13).

Amplitude of movements

The mandibular movements of active and passive opening (endfeel), right and left laterality and protrusion were measured. Active opening and lateralities showed no significant differences, unlike protrusion and endfeel (Figures 3 and 4). Considering this last parameter to be positive for values > 2 mm, the result is indicative for the symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain.

Quality of Opening

Also a qualitative assessment of mandibular kinematic impairment was carried out. Deviation was wider in CG, while deflection, although more present in the study group, did not show statistical significance with any of the tests applied (Table 14).

Bruxism

Bruxism, analyzed by Fisher's exact test, results present only in CG. As regards to related oral signs, wear facets and frictional hyperkeratosis (morsicatio buccarum) showed no significant differences between the 2 groups; tongue indentations were analyzed with the χ² test and occurred in 7 patients with myositis and in 18 of CG (Table 15), with a significant difference.

 Figure 3 

Mean values (±SD) of active opening and endfeel (Unpaired T-test).

 Figure 4 

Mean values (±SD) of right and left laterality and protrusion (Unpaired T-test).

Signs and Symptoms correlation

Cronbach's alpha values are listed in the table below, together with the corresponding 95% bootstrap confidence intervals (Table 16).

As it can be easily seen, Cronbach's alpha values highlight a strong intercorrelation within each set (signs and symptoms), denoting then that variables are closely related as a group. Furthermore it must be pointed out that the pooled Cronbach's alpha reveals a quite high reliability of the used set of scale, being the internal consistency expressed by a value of the covariance equivalent to about 74% of the total variability.

Dermatomyositis (DM) patients versus control

When performing the same assessments limited to DM patients, oral symptoms were present in 17 patients with DM (77.1%) and 33 controls (61.1%); TMJ symptoms were present in 18 patients with DM (81.8%) and 40 controls (74.07%); muscle symptoms were present in 18 patients with DM (81.8%) and 40 controls (74.07%); oral signs were present in 9 DM patients (40.9%) and 33 control (61.11%) (Table 17).

Polymyositis (PM) patients versus control

As regards to PM patients, oral symptoms were present in 19 patients with PM (65.5%) and 33 controls (61.1%); TMJ symptoms were present in 23 patients with PM (79.3%) and 40 controls (74.07%); muscle symptoms were present in 19 patients with PM (65.5%) and 40 controls (74.07%); oral signs were present in 12 PM patients (41.37%) and 33 control (61.11%) (Table 18).

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) patients versus control

As regards IBM patients, oral symptoms were present in 1 patient with IBM (33.3%) and 33 controls (61.1%); TMJ symptoms were present in 3 patients with PM (100%) and 40 controls (74.07%); muscle symptoms were present in 3 patients with PM (100%) and 40 controls (74.07%) and oral signs were present in 3 PM patients (100%) and 33 control (61.11%) (Table 19).

Dermatomyositis (DM) patients versus polymyositis (DM) versus inclusion body myositis (IBM)

As regards oral symptoms, 17 patients with DM (77.1%), 19 patients with PM (65.5%) and 1 patient with IBM (33.3%) had oral symptoms.

As regards TMJ symptoms, 18 patients with DM (81.8%) 23 patients with PM (79.3%) and 3 patients with PM (100%) had TMJ symptoms.

As regards muscle symptoms, 18 patients with DM (81.8%) 19 patients with PM (65.5%) and 3 patients with PM (100%) had muscle symptoms.

As regards oral signs, 9 DM patients (40.9%) 12 PM patients (41.37%) and 3 PM patients (100%) had oral signs.

Discussion

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a rare, multisystemic disease that can affect a variety of tissues such as skeletal muscle, skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, eyes, heart, testicles and small joints. The diagnosis of IIM is based on the following criteria: (i) symmetrical weakness of proximal muscles; (ii) muscle biopsy showing features of inflammatory myositis (iii) elevation of serum skeletal muscle enzymes (e.g. CK, LDH); (iv) electromyographic findings (fibrillation in acute phase, low voltage polyphasic potentials); (v) dermatological features (DM rash, including heliotrope and Gottron's papules) [54-56]. Testing for myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) and myositis-associated autoantibodies (MAAs) can further identify clinical subtype, inform the requirement for further investigations such as MRI, CT scan, echocardiogram and ECG, in order to predict treatment response [57].

The most common oral mucosal findings are telangiectasia due to capillary dilation and bush-loop formation, gingival erythema and dysphagia [11, 14, 16], which can be initial manifestations of the disease and can be considered an important diagnostic marker.

Dourado et al. reported a case of young patient with lichenoid striae in the both retroalveolar mucosal areas, telangiectasia in the posterior teeth gingiva, presenting also some spontaneous bleeding points, gingival calcinosis, in association with papules and erythematous rash in the distal, proximal and metacarpophalangeal joints, compatible with Gottron's papules [21].

Greer et al. showed a case of generalized severe periodontitis with numerous calcifications within the periodontal ligaments of mandibular and maxillary teeth [20].

In the study of Marton et al. the most prominent sign of the oral mucosa and perioral tissues was the presence of telangiectasia. Increased gingival indices without severe periodontal disease should be considered as an unusual sign of IIM, which is probably caused by the edema and erythema secondary to the changes of the gingival capillaries.

Contrary to the works mentioned above, in the present observational study oral ulcers appeared more prevalently in the CG. In detail, using the Fisher exact test, 16.7% of controls were affected versus 0 patients (p<0.001). Other manifestations, such as petechiae, were not detected in either groups.

Dysphagia was reported by 48,1% of IIM patients recruited in this study while was absent in CG (p<0,0001). This finding can be due to several factors: (i) an impaired oral status, since partial or total edentulism was present in the group of patients with myositis (13 patients, 24.1%), while no patient was edentulous in CG (p<0,0001); (ii) a statistically significant prevalence of both masticatory muscle pain (14 patients, 25,9%, p<0,022) and fatigue in IIMs group with positive endfeel, (35 patients, 64,81%, p=0,0122), which can lead to an oral stage dysphagia (OD); (iii) a highly significant prevalence of xerostomia complained by IIMs patients (29 patients, 54.7%, p<0,0001), associated to discomfort in eating and swallowing [24, 25].

Xerostomia is probably related to the drug therapies for treatment of myositis, which include many xerogenic medications. In the present observational study, 68,5% of IIM patients (p<0,001) took corticosteroids, often in addition to others drugs, such as Fans/antirheumatics (9,3%, p<0,028), mycophenolate (18.5%, p<0,001), azathioprine (29.6%, p<0,001), myorelaxants (14,8%, p<0,002). All the aforementioned drugs were absent in CG. This outcome is associated with an increased frequency of loss of taste or unpleasant taste (22,6% of IMM patients against 3,8% of controls) and feeling of burning mouth (9,4% versus 0 controls).

An interesting finding in patients' history is osteoporosis, affecting 12 IIM patients versus 1 of CG (p< 0.001), probably due to a prolonged intake of corticosteroids.

Joint involvement with symmetrical non-erosive polyarthritis affecting small joints of the hands can be present as first manifestation in IIM patients [58]. It affects from one-fifth to one-half of the patient and may be misdiagnosed as RA. It is more frequent in patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) (prevalence between 50% and 75%) with clinical manifestations of erosive polyarthritis. Other joints can be involved even if less frequently, usually in seronegative RA patients with interstitial lung disease or with Raynaud's phenomenon [59].

In the literature, few studies have focused on masticatory system and temporomandibular joint alterations in IIM and most informations came from case reports and small cohort studies [60].

In the study of Savioli et al. [18], the reduction of mandibular mobility, specifically the ability to open the mouth in patients with active IIM was observed, reinforcing the possibility that this finding is an additional manifestation of juvenile DM in the masticatory system and a consequence of muscle weakness. In a sample of 34 patients with PM and DM, Marton found TMJ alterations in nine patients, while only one control was complaining of that. Five patients demonstrated mandibular deviation and one had crepitation and clicking during opening of the mouth, five of them complained about sensitivity of the lateral pterygoid muscle at palpation [17]. Brennan et al. reported a single documented case of bilateral condylar resorption in a patient with dermatomyositis [61]. This clinical observational work has a sample size of 54 IIM patient compared with 54 controls to collect information aimed at analyzing both oral and TMJ signs and symptoms, as well as the involvement of stomatognathic and postural muscles, with a cohort size larger than other investigating studies.

About the recruitment of CG, people referring to the clinic may complain of generic oral disturbances more frequently than global population, so this could be a limitation of the present study.

Another weakness lies in the decision of the ethics committee to allow only a clinical-observational study leaving out I and II level radiological investigations, thus eliminating any type of biological risk for the patient. This clinical approach implies a less accurate diagnosis regarding the presence/absence of condylar arthritis/arthrosis.

As for the clinical data attributable to joint problems, i.e. TMJ arthralgia, joint noises and the quality of joint movement, the results did not show a correlation with dermatomyositis/polymyositis. In detail, arthralgia was complained by 16.7% of IIM patients versus 18.5% of controls (p>0.05). The presence of TMJ sounds, which generally indicate morphological alterations of the bony head or joint damage, was overlapping in the two groups: (i) click=11.1% both in IIM patients and in CG (p>0.05); (ii) crepitation was present in 11.1% of IIM and 9.3% of controls (p>0.05). About qualitative mouth opening, no statistically significant difference was detected about deflection in IIM patients (9.3%, p>0.05), while deviation was wider in CG. All these data suggest a weak TMJ impairment in IIM.

In the present study, a clinical, non-instrumental approach was used to assess bruxism, which appears to be present only in CG, since no IIM patient reported being bruxer (p<0.05). This absence could be explained by a condition of muscle weakness that develops frequently in this pathology, traditionally thought to be caused by a loss of muscle mass and an impaired intrinsic contractility.

The outcomes of this investigation could be however affected by errors due to subjective data, having screened awake and sleep bruxism through a questionnaire. Future studies should assess bruxism by means of instrumental measurement strategies like an Ecological Momentary Assessment for AB, and electromyography for SB [62, 63]. About muscles, parameters that proved to be significant were: (i) endfeel, considering this last parameter to be positive for values > 2 mm; (ii) pain in the muscles of the neck and shoulders in IIM patients (72.2%, p<0.0001), (iii) myalgia during chewing and the positive palpation of most of the stomatognathic muscles. All this confirms fatigue and muscle soreness. The following muscles were evaluated: sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, digastric, mylohyoid, posterior, middle and anterior part of the temporalis muscle, masseter muscle, lateral and medial pterygoid muscles. Except for temporal and lateral pterygoid muscles, pain in all masticatory muscles is significantly more felt in the group of patients with myositis than in the CG (p<0.022). From the analysis of the data collected in the present work, such as Cronbach's alpha values, it emerges a strong intercorrelation within symptoms and signs.

Dermatomyositis/polymyositis seems to play a role in TMD regarding muscle involvement, an element supported by the greater prevalence of myalgia for muscle palpation and positive endfeel (35 patients, 64.81%, p=0.0122), that objectively shows a higher presence of paucisymptomatic muscular contracture.

Conclusion

The findings collected from the present observational study seem to support the existence of a relationship between the prevalence of TMD symptoms and signs as well as oral features in patients with myositis. Particularly, a remarkable reduction of salivary flow and all its consequences such as dysgeusia and dysphagia were found to be more frequent in patients with IIM when compared to a control group. In addition, muscle contracture and myofacial pain evoked by palpation were more frequent and severe in the study group than in the control one, this result being highly significant.

Abbreviations

IIM: Inflammatory idiopathic myopathies; DM: dermatomyositis; PM: polymyositis; IBM: inclusion body myositis; TMD: temporomandibular disorders; TMJ: temporomandibular joint; TMDs: symptoms of temporomandibular disorders; TMJs: sounds of temporomandibular joint; OD: opening derangement; VAS: visual analogue scale; MP: myofascial pain; RM: restricted movements; BRUX: bruxism; SB: sleep bruxism; AB: awake bruxism; CG: control group; MMT: manual muscle testing.

Acknowledgements

Author Contributions

Study design: Vito Crincoli, Maria Grazia Piancino; Data collection: Mariangela Cannavale, Angela Pia Cazzolla, Mario Dioguardi; Statistical analysis: Mariasevera Di Comite; Data interpretation: Vito Crincoli, Mariasevera Di Comite; Manuscript preparation: Vito Crincoli, Mariangela Cannavale, Mariasevera Di Comite; Literature search: Mariangela Cannavale, Mario Dioguardi; Supervision: Vito Crincoli.

Competing Interests

The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

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Corresponding author: E-mail: elicioit.

Received 2020-2-23
Accepted 2021-5-24
Published 2021-7-5

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