Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To explore the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and whether there is a correlation between TMD prevalence and MS severity. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Lilacs were systematically searched until July 30 2022, to identify studies presenting patients affected by MS and whether there is a correlation between TMD prevalence and MS severity. Results: Out of 292 papers, 8 studies were included with 1312 study participants. Among the 8 studies, 5 had a control group; 5 used the RDC/TMD criteria, 1 used the NOT-S instrument, and 2 did not define a standardized method to define TMD symptoms. Meta-analysis revealed that the MS group had a higher rate than the control group, showing an association between MS and TMD (RR 2.10; 95% CI: 1.21–3.65). Conclusion: These findings show an association between TMD and MS. Abbreviations: Australian Longitudinal Study of MS (AMSLS); Computed Tomography (CT); Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN); Central Nervous System (CNS); Decayed, Missing, and Filled (DMF); Decayed, Missing, or Filled Teeth Index (DMFT); Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS); European Academy of Craniomandibular Disorders (EACD); Healthy Controls (HC); International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO); Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S); Participants, model of Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO); Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA); Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD); Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ); Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD); World Health Organization (WHO).