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Masticatory function in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
R P Harper1, C M Brown, M M Triplett
1Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery/Pharmacology, Baylor College of Dentistry, USA. rharper@tambcd.edu
Pediatric Dentistry
|June 10, 2000
Summary
Children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) may avoid jaw pain by compromising chewing ability. This study found JRA children exhibited poorer food breakdown, impacting nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Dental Science
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) can affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), but TMJ pain is infrequently reported by affected children.
- Pain avoidance mechanisms may lead to altered masticatory function in children with JRA.
- Understanding chewing performance is crucial for assessing the functional impact of JRA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between self-reported pain and dysfunction and objective measures of masticatory performance in children with JRA.
- To compare chewing performance in JRA children with and without temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Categorized children into three groups: JRA with TMD, JRA without TMD, and healthy controls.
- Assessed jaw pain, chewing ability, and quality of life using visual analog scales before and after chewing tasks.
- Measured particle size and distribution after chewing standardized food portions and recorded chewing cycles for carrot.
Main Results:
- Children with JRA (both with and without TMD) demonstrated significantly broader particle size distribution, indicating less efficient chewing, compared to controls.
- JRA children reported higher levels of pain and dysfunction pre-chewing tasks.
- Healthy controls experienced increased pain and reduced chewing ability post-chewing tasks, unlike the JRA groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with JRA appear to compromise masticatory function as a pain avoidance strategy.
- These findings highlight potential nutritional implications for children suffering from JRA due to impaired chewing.