Orofacial pain in 1916 patients with early or moderate Parkinson disease

Several studies have reported that some types of orofacial pain are more common in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) than the general population.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported orofacial pain in a larger group of patients with PD than has been previously studied.

We analysed data from 1916 participants with PD in a cross-sectional study recruited to the UK Parkinson's Pain Study who had detailed assessments of pain, motor, and nonmotor symptoms. The King's Parkinson's Pain scale was used to quantify different subtypes of pain.

A total of 139 (7.3%) patients reported the presence of some form of orofacial pain. Burning mouth syndrome was reported in 32 (1.7%), whereas chewing pain was found in 38 (2.0%) and grinding pain in 78 (4.0%). Orofacial pain was significantly more common in females (10.4%) than males (5.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between orofacial pain and pain severity, neuropathic pain, and oral motor and nonmotor dysfunction.

In our study, population cohort of early patients with PD found prevalence of orofacial pain conditions similar to that in the general population.