RESEARCH - TMJ involvement in RA: correlation of clinical, laboratory and MRI findings

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B-ENT. 2008;4(1):19-24.

Temporomandibular joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis:

correlation of clinical, laboratory and magnetic resonance imaging

findings.

Ozcan I, Ozcan KM, Keskin D, Bahar S, Boyacigil S, Dere H.

4th ENT Clinic, Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder that

involves many body joints including the temporomandibular joint. The

frequency of temporomandibular joint involvement based on clinical and

radiological findings is rather diverse and involvement may manifest

as pain, restricted range of movement and locking of the joint. The

aim of this study is to investigate and correlate the clinical,

laboratory and magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with

rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODOLOGY: The temporomandibular joint involvement in 43 patients

with rheumatoid arthritis, whose diagnoses were based on the revised

1987 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, were evaluated

using clinical examination, laboratory findings and magnetic resonance

imaging.

RESULTS: Temporomandibular joint involvement was clinically observed

in 28 patients (65.1%), and radiologically in 33 patients (76.7%). The

most frequent physical examination finding, a " click " in the joint

upon opening of the mouth, was found in 21 (48.8%) patients. The most

frequently observed radiological finding was synovial proliferation

seen in 22 (51.1%) patients. A statistically significant correlation

was observed between erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the findings

on magnetic resonance imaging; between the rheumatoid factor results

and physical examination findings; and between the findings of the

physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging.

CONCLUSION: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the rheumatoid factor

results, and the findings on magnetic resonance imaging were found to

be important in indicating temporomandibular joint involvement in

rheumatoid arthritis. Further studies are necessary to specify the

risk factors in more detail.

PMID: 18500017

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18500017

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