Prevalence of TMD in Parkinson’s disease: an observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson's Disease (PD) has neurodegenerative and progressive characteristics and is typically associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the compact region of the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Motor symptoms such as rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting tremor can affect the orofacial muscles, resulting in signs and symptoms similar to those of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). As a result, muscular comorbidities like TMD may be masked, leading to underdiagnosis and even lack of treatment. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of TMD in individuals with PD and to investigate association with disease stages. Material and method: The sample consisted of 31 patients, aged between 40 and 75 years, with PD stages 1, 2, and 3, according to the Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scale. The individuals were recruited from the Neurology Clinic at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia and analyzed using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and questionnaire and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). All participants were evaluated under their usual medicated condition. Result: The sample revealed a slight male predominance among PD patients. Although no significant association was found between PD and TMD,a higher frequency of TMD cases was observed in patients at stage 2 of PD. Joint disorders were the most prevalent subtype. Conclusion: Patients with PD did not show a significant association between disease stages and TMD; however, TMD, especially joint disorders, was observed, highlighting the importance of clinical evaluation to avoid underdiagnosis in this population.