Reported symptoms from the masticatory system and general well-being in rheumatoid arthritis

Eighty-one patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 41 patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) were evaluated with questionnaires regarding subjective symptoms from the masticatory system. The general well-being was assessed using the Mood Adjective Check List (MACL) and the Body Symptom Scale (BSS). Patients with rheumatoid arthritis in general had less symptoms from the masticatory system than TMD patients. The RA patients reported that their symptoms were related to acute phases of the general disease, while the TMD patients reported that mental stress, anxiety, bruxism and chewing aggravated their symptoms. The RA patients had more general physical discomfort than TMD patients according to the BSS. The RA patients rated their mental well-being (MACL) close to normal, except that they were less active than TMD patients. The TMD patients, on the other hand, showed higher values for mental tension. In conclusion, many patients with RA will develop TMD symptoms but there is a great variation in time relationship between the onset of RA and involvement of the masticatory system.