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Correlation Between Orofacial Pain and Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies
Shruti Handa1, Megan R Heffernan2, Summer Tan3
1Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Journal of Pain Research
|October 14, 2024
Summary
Orofacial pain (OFP) and sensory neuropathies often overlap. This study found OFP in 22.67% of patients with neuropathies, with higher rates of psychological conditions and obesity in OFP patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Orofacial pain (OFP) affects 15% of the population, encompassing myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and neuropathic pain.
- The pathophysiology of many chronic OFP conditions remains unknown.
- Small fiber neuropathy (SFN), a disorder of small nerve fibers, can cause sensory and autonomic dysfunction and has been observed in some OFP cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of OFP in patients diagnosed with sensory and autonomic neuropathies.
- To investigate the correlation between OFP, skin biopsy results, and autonomic dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 450 patients from a Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) registry (2018-2020).
- Analysis of primary outcome: OFP prevalence in patients with chronic neuropathies.
- Secondary outcomes included correlations with skin biopsy, dysautonomia, headaches, chronic pain, psychological conditions, age, and BMI.
Main Results:
- 22.67% of patients with sensory and autonomic neuropathies presented with OFP.
- OFP patients showed a higher prevalence of negative skin biopsy results, psychological conditions, and BMI >30.
- Dysautonomia was more prevalent in patients with TMDs.
Conclusions:
- OFP and sensory neuropathies are frequently overlapping conditions.
- Patients with co-occurring TMD and dysautonomia may benefit from SFN testing.
- Further research into SFN could elucidate the pathophysiology of idiopathic TMD/OFP.
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