Orofacial Manifestations and Temporomandibular Disorders of Sjögren Syndrome: An Observational Study

Abstract

AIMS: Sjӧgren Syndrome is a disorder involving oral tissues, with xerostomia, dysgeusia, dysphagia, tooth decay, gingivitis, angular cheilitis and glossitis. Temporomandibular disorders are a generic term referred to clinical conditions involving the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oral manifestations and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in Sjӧgren Syndrome (SS) patients compared with healthy people.

METHODS: The study group included 72 SS patients (2 men, 70 women) diagnosed according to the American-European Consensus Group (AECG) Criteria. A randomly selected group of 72 patients, matched by sex and age, served as control group. The examination for TMD signs and symptoms was based on the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) through a questionnaire and clinical examination.

RESULTS: SS patients complained more frequently (95.8%) of oral symptoms (xerostomia, dysgeusia, dysphagia) than controls (22.2%) (χ²= 80.66 p< 0.001). TMD symptoms (muscle pain on chewing, difficulty in mouth opening, arthralgia, headaches, tinnitus) were complained by 91.7% of SS patients and by 84.7% of controls (χ²= 1,667 p= 0,196). At the clinical examination, 91,7% of SS had at least one oral sign respect to 75 % of controls. The salivary flow measurements showed high statistical significance between the two groups (Unpaired test, p< 0,0001). Myofascial pain (caused by muscular contracture) was significantly higher in the study group than in the control one (p≤ 0,05). Furthermore 18,05% of SS patients showed deflection versus 5,5% of controls (χ²=5,402 p=0,020).

CONCLUSIONS: Sjӧgren's Syndrome seems to play a role in temporomandibular joint disorders.

Introduction

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the exocrine glands.

There are two clinical forms: primary SS, a systemic disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands ¹ in which also extraglandular manifestations can be present, and secondary SS, in association with other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or progressive systemic sclerosis ².

Critical reviews estimate a variable prevalence from 0.35 (95% CI, 0.17-0.65) up to 3.59 (95% CI, 2.43-5.08) ³ in according to Preliminary European Criteria and from 0.05 (95% CI, 0.048-0.052) to 0.6 (95% CI, 0.24-1.39) according to the American-European Consensus Group (AECG) Criteria ⁴. Women are more affected than men, with a ratio of 9:1 ⁵ and a mean age of incidence approximately estimated between 40 and 50 years ⁶.

Although the etiology is still unclear, several factors have been postulated to explain the pathogenesis of the disease, such as genetic, hormonal and infectious agents. About genetic factors, population studies reveal MHC genes as critical contributors to the pathogenesis, especially those which encode HLA-DR and HLA-DQ antigens ⁷.

The immune disorder leads to a progressive lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands, with T helper lymphocyte (CD4+ and CD8+), polyclonal B lymphocyte activation and autoantibody production, especially antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and autoantibodies to SS-A (Ro) or SS-B (la) antigens ⁸, whose increase is considered the principal hematologic feature.

In addition, circulating organ- and non-organ-specific autoantibodies can be present ⁹.

In this context, the inflammatory cells play a major role in the pathogenesis, attacking the epithelial cells ¹⁰.

Oral manifestations are due to salivary glands hypofunction, with a reduction in salivary flow (xerostomia), and a qualitative change in salivary composition ¹¹. Consequently, SS patients can show dental erosion and increased risk of developing tooth caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease, fungal infections especially with Candida species ¹², dysgeusia, exfoliative or angular cheilitis ¹³, and glossitis with hyperemic and smooth tongue because of loss of papillae.

Although dry eyes (xerophthalmia) and xerostomia ¹⁴ are the most typical signs and symptoms, Sjogren's syndrome may also cause lymphocytic infiltration and immune-complex deposition in extraglandular sites, so the pathology is characterized by a systemic involvement of several organs and systems (skin, vaginal mucosa, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lungs, peripheral nervous system, muscles, skeleton). SS patients can show palpable purpura, mixed cryoglobulinemia, Raynaud disease, dry nose and dry cough ¹⁵, tubular dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, that can manifest itself like abnormal vibratory sensation, impaired position sense, paresthesias, and weakness ¹⁶. Moreover, the development of lymphoproliferative disorders seems to be higher than those detectable in patients with other autoimmune disorders ¹⁷.

Among the most common symptoms, fatigue and generalized pain represent an important cause of impaired quality of life ¹⁸ and these pains could indicate the presence of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), that seems to be present in approximately 20% of patients with SS ¹⁹.

Musculoskeletal symptoms occur with a frequency range of 15-90% ²⁰. The distribution of joint pain is symmetrical in arthralgia, while in arthritis has an asymmetric presentation ¹⁹. The most frequent joints involved are hands, wrists, ankles and feet ²¹, but also temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may be involved.

There are limited studies regarding TMJ involvement in patients with SS, so the relationship between SS and TMJ dysfunction is unclear ²².

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), symptoms and signs, and oral manifestations in SS patients compared with a healthy control group.

Materials and Methods

This clinical observational study was performed between June 2016 and April 2017 at the School of Dentistry and the Department of Rheumatology, University of Bari, Italy, in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval and informed consent from each human subject were obtained.

Seventy-two patients (2 men, 70 women) with SS, diagnosed according to American-European Consensus Group (AECG) Criteria, were enrolled in the study group. A control group of 72 patients, matched by sex and age, was randomly selected among those presenting at the Dental Clinic.

Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years and European origins. Exclusion criteria were previous facial trauma, head, oral or neck neoplasia, maxillofacial surgery.

The ages of the patients ranged between 21 and 82 years old, with a mean age of 56.06 (DS= 12,19) years in the SS group, and 55,32 (DS=12,17) years in the controls. Patients' drugs were recorded.

The TMD were assessed following the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) ²³. Symptoms and signs of both groups were valued by a single practitioner through an anamnestic questionnaire and clinical examination.

PATIENTS HISTORY

Oral Symptoms

Through a questionnaire, patients recorded the presence or the absence of the following diseases:

Xerostomia: defined as the subjective complaint of dry mouth ²⁴ associated to discomfort in activities such as eating, speaking, swallowing and wearing dentures. The diagnosis of xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction requires a thorough medical history.

In fact, hyposalivation is a result of several conditions, including dehydration, denervation, trauma, chronic immune and non immune mediated inflammation of the salivary glands, head and neck irradiation therapy, psychologic factors, and medications such as anticoagulants, antidepressants, antihypertensives, antiretrovirals, hypoglycemics, levothyroxine, multivitamins and supplements, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroid inhalers ²⁵. It occurs when basal salivary flow falls below 0.3-0.4 mL/min ²⁶. A diagnosis of hyposalivation is made when unstimulated salivary flow rate is ≤0.1 mL/min ^{27, 28}. In this study the test was conducted asking the patient to spit saliva, accumulated in the floor of the mouth, in a graduated tube every 60 seconds. The collection period lasted 5 minutes.

Dysgeusia: is defined as the subjective inadequate or wrong taste perception. Dysgeusia was reported when subjects experience bitter, sour, or metallic flavors ²⁹.

Dysphagia: the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. It may be complained by the patient as a sensation of difficulty in the passage of solids from the mouth to the esophagus, probably due to bad training of the bolus, as a result of the reduction in salivary flow.

TMD Symptoms

All complaints reported by patients were collected as categorical data. They include: pain in masticatory muscles during mandibular functions, neck and shoulders stiffness, TMJ arthralgia, a feeling of locked during opening/closing mouth, temporal headaches ^{30, 31}. Other less common involvements are dizziness, earache and tinnitus ³². Patients were also asked how much the pain was serious according their perception (VAS scale) and if symptoms had occurred periodically since the disease was diagnosed.

CLINICAL EXAMINATION

Myofascial pain (MP): if palpated, healthy muscles do not cause pain; on the contrary, if the muscles are contracted or inflamed, the compression elicits myalgia ³³. Palpation was carried out applying a firm pressure on the muscles.

The following masticatory muscles were palpated bilaterally: anterior, medial, and posterior temporalis muscles, masseter muscle, medial pterygoid muscle, lateral pterygoid muscle with its superior and inferior head, digastric (anterior and posterior belly) muscle, mylohyoid and sternocleidomastoid muscles.

Oral Signs

Tooth decay: presence of caries with demineralization in cervical, incisal, or in cusp tips.

Gingivitis and periodontal changes: inflamed gums appear red and swollen, often bloody. Periodontal disease can lead to gingival recession and dental loss.

Angular cheilitis: is characterized by erythema, ulcerations, flaking of the labial and sting. The buccal opening is limited and painful.

Glossitis: inflammation of the lingual mucosa, with loss of filiform papillae.

TMD Signs

TMJ sounds (TMJs)

They were estimated by palpation on each side separately during mandible movement.

Clicking is considered a single noise, sharp and short-lived, while crepitation is a multiple noise, gravel-like, ³⁴ described as the gears of a cogwheel.

Bruxism (BRUX)

It's a particular mandibular movement characterized by clenching, grinding of the teeth and movement in various directions. It may occur during sleep or when awake ³⁵. Bruxism becomes pathological when it brings to myalgia (induced by prolonged vasoconstriction and accumulation of catabolites in the muscle tissue), wear facets, that alter the normal occlusal plane, and joint pain ³⁶.

Opening derangement (OD)

In a healthy masticatory system, the movement of the jaw in the opening path is straight. The alterations in the course of the opening have been classified as:

deviation: any shift of the jaw from the midline during opening that disappears continuing the opening (return to the midline);

deflection: any shift of the mandibular midline that becomes greater with opening and does not disappear in maximum opening ³⁷.

Restricted movements (RM)

Reduced opening: in a healthy system, the mouth opens between 53 and 58 mm. Taking into account overbite ³⁸, a mandibular movement is considered restricted when the distance between the incisal edge of the maxillary and mandibular incisors is lower than 40mm.

Right and left lateral shifts: were recorded when the distance was from upper to lower midline was < 8mm.

Mandibular protrusion: was recorded when lower than 7mm ³⁹.

Endfeel: was evaluated by placing the fingers between patient's upper and lower teeth and applying a gentle but steady force in an attempt to passively increase the incisal distance.

Statistical Analysis

Categorical data were expressed as number and percentage and comparisons between SS and controls were performed using chi-squared (χ²) or Fisher exact tests. Quantitative data were presented as mean and Standard Deviation (SD) and the comparisons among two group were valued by means of Student's T test for unpaired samples. In all comparisons, a p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were performed by using GraphPad Prism 6.0.

Results

Characteristic of SS Patients and Controls

Patients' age ranged between 21 and 82 years, 97.2% were female and 2.7% were male in both groups. The two groups, matched for age and sex, resulted similar for sociodemographic aspects. Among study and control groups, housewives were prominent (Table 1).

Table 1.

Sociodemographic characteristics of SS patients and controls.

Sociodemographic Characteristics	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
Age, mean ± SD	56,06 ± 12,19	55,32 ± 12,17
Sex, n (%)
male	2 (2,8 %)	2 (2,8%)
female	70 (97,2 %)	70 (97,2 %)
Educational degree, n (%)
primary	23 (31,9%)	17 (23,6%)	χ2= 6,7265	0,081
secondary	22 (30,6%)	16 (22,2%)
high	24 (33,3%)	28 (38,9 %)
academic	3 (4,2%)	11 (15,3%)
Occupation, n (%)
housewife office worker	37 (51,4%) 29 7 (9,7%)	29 (40,3%) 3 (4,2%)	χ2 =8,458	0,133
retired	8 (11,1 %)	9 (12,5%)
self employed	6 (8,3%)	6 (8,3%)
public employed	11 (15,3%)	24 (33,3%)
not employed	3 (4,2%)	1 (1,4%)
Marital status, n (%)
married	56 (77,8%)	52 (72,2%)	χ2 = 4,507	0,212
widower	5 (6,9%)	8 (11,1%)
single	5 (6,9%)	10 (13,9%)
divorced	6 (8,3%)	2 (2,8%)

The prevalent form of disease was the primary one, found in the 95.8% of SS patients (4.2 % had the secondary form), the age at diagnosis varied between 19 and 79 years (mean = 51,6 years, SD = 12.3) with a disease mean duration of 4,5 years (SD = 4.9); 66,7 % of patients had the pathology for less than 5 years.

Clinical characteristics of SS patients and controls are reported in Table 2.

Table 2.

Clinical characteristics of SS patients and controls.

Clinical Characteristics	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
Thyroid disease	22 (30,6%)	10 (13,9%)	χ2= 5,786	0.016
Arthromyalgia / polyarticular arthritis	14 (19,4%)	3 (4,2%)	Χ2 = 8,070	0.004
Esophageal disease	10 (13,9%)	1 (1,4%)	Χ2 = 7,973	0.005
Gastritis	14 (19,4%)	0	Χ2 = 15,507	< 0.001
Interstitial lung disease	6 (8,3%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.014
Kidney disease	7 (9,7%)	1 (1,4%)	Fisher exact test	0.031
Liver disease	7 (9,7%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.006
Neuropathy	9 (12,5%)	1 (1,4%)	Χ2 = 6,878	0.009
Vasculitis	6 (8,3%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.014
Raynaud disease	25 (34,7%)	0	Χ2 = 30,252	< 0.001
Lymphoproliferative disorders	2 (2,8%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.248
Blood disorders	9 (12,5%)	1 (1,4%)	Χ2 = 6,878	0.009
Osteoporosis	22 (30,6%)	1 (1,4%)	Χ2 = 22,818	< 0.001
Hypovitaminosis	27 (37,5%)	1 (1,4%)	Χ2 = 29,970	< 0.001
Hypertension	24 (33,3%)	19 (26,4%)	Χ2 = 0,829	0.362
Diabetes mellitus	5 (6,9%)	4 (5,6%)	Fisher exact test	00.05
Cardiopathy	14 (19,4%)	5 (6,9%)	Χ2 4,912	0.027
Dyslipidemia	10 (13,9%)	3 (4,2%)	Χ2 4,143	0.042

The principal drugs for SS patients and controls are reported in Table 3.

Table 3.

SS patients and controls' drugs.

Drugs	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
Opioids	2 (2.8 %)	0	Fisher exact test	0.248
Antidepressants	3 (4.2%)	2 (2.8%)	Fisher exact test	0.5
Anti-diabetic drugs	4 (5.6%)	4 (5.6%)	Fisher exact test	0.641
Antihypertensives	26 (36.1%)	16 (22.2%)	Fisher exact test	0.049
Acetylsalicylic acid	9 (12.5%)	3 (4.2%)	Χ2 = 3.273	0.071
benzodiazepines	4 (5.6%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.059
Bisphosphonates	10 (13.9%)	1 (1.4%)	Χ2 = 7.973	0.005
Cholecalciferol	57 (79.2%)	4 (5.6%)	Χ2 = 79.893	< 0,001
Corticosteroids	50 (69.4%)	0	Χ2 = 76.596	< 0.001
Nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory drugs	6 (8.3%)	1 (1.4%)	Fisher exact test	0.057
Biotechnological drugs	8 (11.1%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.003
Hydroxychloroquine	29 (40.3%)	0	Χ2 = 36.313	< 0.001
Immunosuppressing drugs	1 (1,4%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.5
Antacids	44 (61.1 %)	3 (4.2%)	Χ2 = 53.096	< 0.001
Levothyroxine	15 (20.8%)	8 (11.1%)	Χ2 = 2.535	0.112
Methotrexate	23 (31.9%)	0	Χ2 = 27.372	< 0.001
Muscle relaxants	11 (15.3%)	0	Χ2 = 11.909	< 0.001
Pilocarpine	21 (29.2%)	0	Χ2 = 24.585	< 0.001
Statins and fibrates	7 (9.7%)	4 (5.6%)	Χ2 = 0.886	0.347
Sulfasalazine	3 (4.2%)	0	Fisher exact test	0.123
Topical treatment	36 (50.0%)	0	Χ2 = 48.00	< 0.001

The proportion of patients with joint involvement was higher in the SS patients than in the controls; frequency's distributions between the groups is also significantly different (χ² = 14,3; p< 0,001) (Table 4).

Table 4.

Joint involvement in SS patients and controls.

Joint involvement	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
	87,5%	59,7%	Χ2 = 14,3	< 0,001

SS Oral symptoms

Overall, patients complained the presence or the absence of oral symptoms through a questionnaire. These were more frequent in the study group than in the control one. Sixty-nine SS (95,8%) reported one or more oral symptoms compared to 16 of the controls (22,2%). A statistically significant difference between two groups was found for all reported findings.

TMD Symptoms

The valuation of TMDs showed that 91,7% of the patients with SS and 84,7% of the controls complained one or more symptoms. Statistically significant differences were found for all subjective complaints, except for temporal headaches (p= 0,494) (Table 6).

Table 6.

TMD symptoms in SS patients and controls

TMD symptoms	SS	Controls	Χ2	p Value
Masticatory muscle pain	20 (27,7 %)	6 (8,3 %)	9,199	0,002
Soreness or muscle pain of neck and shoulders	56 (77,7 %)	42 (58,3 %)	6,260	0,012
Muscle pain during the function	32 (44,4%)	12 (16,6 %)	13,09	<0,001
Arthralgia tmj	39 (54,2 %)	18 (25 %)	12,8	<0,001
Difficulty opening mouth	32 (44,4 %)	10 (13,8%)	16,268	<0,001
Temporal headache	30 (41,6 %)	26 (36,1%)	0,467	0,494
Tinnitus	40 (55,5 %)	18 (25 %)	13,972	<0,001

Pain during muscle palpation was the most commonly reported symptom in SS patients, due to a remarkable muscular contracture. For almost all muscles examined, pain reported was significantly higher in the study group than in the control one (p≤ 0,05). No significant differences between the two groups was found for medial and posterior temporal muscles and lateral pterygoid muscles (Table 7).

Table 7.

Myofascial pain in SS patients and controls

Pain on muscle palpation	SS	Controls	Χ2	p Value
Anterior temporalis muscle	35 ( 48,61 %)	18 (25 %)	8,628	0,003
Medial temporalis muscle	12 ( 16,66 %)	10 (13,88 %)	0,214	0,643
Posterior temporalis muscle	21 (29,16 %)	15 (20,83 %)	1,333	0,248
Sternocleidomastoid muscles—sternal head	31 (43,05 %)	15 (20,83 %)	8,177	0,004
Sternocleidomastoid muscles—clavicular head	19 (26,38 %)	4 (5,55 %)	11,642	<0,001
Digastric muscle—anterior belly Digastric muscle-posterior belly	18 (25%) 23 (31,94%)	5 (6,94%) 5 (6,94%)	8,744 14,364	0,003 <0,001
Superficial masseter muscles	41 (56,94%)	21 (29,16 %)	11,329	<0,001
Deep masseter muscles	34 (47,22 %)	11 (15,27%)	17,098	<0,001
Medial pterygoid muscles	40 (55,55 %)	23 (31,94 %)	8,155	0,004
Lateral pterygoid muscles	56 (77,8 %)	54 (75%)	0,154	0,694
Mylohyoid muscles	26 (36,11 %)	3 (4,16 %)	22,841	<0,001

SS signs

At the clinical examination, 91,7% of SS have at least one oral sign respect to 75 % of controls and this difference is statistically significant (χ² = 7,20, p= 0,007) (Table 8).

Table 8.

Oral signs for SS and controls.

Oral signs	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
Tooth decay	41(56,94%)	29 (40,28%)	Χ2 = 4,003	0,045
Gengivitis and Periodontal changes	54 (75,0 %)	32 (44,44 %)	Χ2 = 13,972	<0,001
Atrophia of filiform papilla	12 (16,67%)	2 (2,78 %)	Χ2 = 7,912	0,004
Angular cheilitis	12 (16,67%)	2 (2,78 %)	Χ2 = 23,591	<0,001
Candidiasis	9 (12,5 %)	0	Fisher exact test	0,001
Oral ulcerations (small aphthae)	15 (20,83 %)	12 (16,67%)	Χ2 = 0,410	0,521

Also the salivary flow measurements showed high statistical significance between the two groups (Unpaired test, p< 0.0001). Mean and SD are: 0.458 ± 0.395 for SS and 0.797 ± 0.571 for control group (fig.1).

Figure 1.

Mean values ± SD of SS and control group. SS patients show a reduced salivary flow.

TMD Signs

Values for restricted movements (calculated by T-student test, two-tailed) were not statistically significant different between SS and controls patients. Measurement data (mean ± SD) related to movements were reported below: the maximal mouth opening was 43,43 mm ± 6,12 mm in SS patients and 42,64 mm ± 5,72 mm in the control group (p= 0,424), the right lateral excursion was 6,93 mm ± 2,64 mm in SS patients and 7,28 mm ± 2,42 mm in the controls (p= 0,413), the left lateral excursion was 7,36 mm ± 2,75 mm in SS patients and 6,83 mm ± 2,54 mm in the controls (p= 0.233), the protrusion was 4,92 mm ± 2,77 mm in SS patients and 4,54 mm ± 2,38 mm (p= 0.385). The only exception was the endfeel (63,9 % in SS patients and 44,4 % in controls). This value showed a statistically significant difference among the groups (χ² = 5.482; p= 0.019) (fig.2; fig.3).

Figure 2.

A, B, C. Mean values ± SD of SS and control group. Movement width evaluation shows no statistically significant differences, except for endfeel.

Figure 3.

A, B. Mean values ± SD of SS and control group. Laterotrusion size evaluation is quite overlapping, with no statistically significant differences.

The prevalence of parafunctional habits was significantly higher in patients with SS disease than in the control group: 30,56 % of SS reported bruxism versus 15,28% of controls (χ² = 4.757, p= 0.029); also teeth clenching was more frequent in SS group than control one (χ² = 4.05, p= 0,044) . As regard parafunctional signs, only the wear facets were found in study group with a significant difference respect to controls (χ² = 4.012, p= 0.045) (Table 9).

Table 9.

Parafunctional habits and signs in SS patients and controls.

Parafunctional habits and signs	SS	Controls	Χ2	p Value
Teeth clenching	38 (52,78 %)	26 (36,11 %)	4,05	0,044
Bruxism	22 (30,56%)	11 (15,28 %)	4,757	0,029
Wear facets	44 (61,11%)	32 ( 44,4 %)	4,012	0,045
Irregular lingual edges	31 (43,56 %)	29 (40,28 %)	0,114	0,735
Buccal occlusal line	19 (26,39%)	17 (23,61%)	0,148	0,701

The clicks and crepitus sounds of the TMJ during mandibular opening and closing movements were not statistically significant different between the study and control groups (p< 0,05), except the “pop noise”, higher in SS than in controls (Fisher exact test, p= 0.043). In addition, the crepitation of SS patients was higher compared to the controls, but there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups (Table 10).

Table 10.

Joint sounds in SS patients and controls.

Joint sounds	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
Click during opening	22 (30,56%)	25 (34,72 %)	Χ2 0,284	0,593
Click during closing	14 (19,44%)	12 (16,67 %)	Χ2 0,187	0,664
Pop noise	18 (25%)	9 (12,5 %)	Fisher exact test	0,043
Crepitation	12 (16,67%)	6 (8,33 %)	Χ2 2,285	0,13

As regard the alterations in the mouth opening pathway, deviation and deflection, only the deflection was significantly higher in SS patients than in the controls (χ² = 5,402 p= 0,020) (Table 11).

Table 11.

Opening derangement in SS patients and controls.

Opening Derangement	SS	Controls	χ2	p Value
Deviation	36 (50,0%)	43 (59,72%)	1,374	0,241
Deflection	13 (18,05%)	4 (5,5%)	5,402	0,020

Discussion

The present study analyzed the prevalence of oral manifestation and TMD symptoms and signs in SS patients compared with healthy controls, with a cohort size larger than other studies investigating SS and TMD (72 SS versus 1 in Burges ⁴⁰, 21 in List et al. ²², 23 in Keris et al. ⁴¹.

About sociodemographic characteristics, education, primary, secondary and high school have a similar prevalence in SS group, while among controls there are more graduates (high and academic). Housewives were equally represented in both SS patients and controls, while public employees were most represented in control group (Table 1). According to Meijer et al., these patients have a faulty socio-economic status, resulting in lower employment rates as compared with the general population ⁴². Local and systemic conditions due to the syndrome can worsen quality of life and psychological status in SS patients, from the most common findings such as pain, asthenia, ocular and oral dryness, to the awareness of an increased risk of developing malignant neoplasms. Particularly non-Hodgkin B cell lymphoma may occur with an incidence 16 times higher than in general population ⁴³ and some patients regularly take antidepressants (4.2%) and benzodiazepines (5.6%). Also rheumatological conditions can have a serious impact on patients, so they may be limited in their activities and their participation in society.

Another interesting finding collected is the frequent use of antacid medications in SS (61.1%) versus in controls (4.2%) (χ² =53.096, p< 0.001), which is due both to the complications of the disease and to the somatization of psychological aspects. Among the main drugs used in the treatment there are: corticosteroids (69.4%), methotrexate (31.9%), hydroxychloroquine (40.3%), pilocarpine (29.2%). Thirty-six (50.0%) of SS patients recruited have been taking saliva and/or tear supplements, providing moisture and comfort from dry mouth and/or dry eyes.

Mucosal symptoms and signs were evaluated in SS and control group, showing statistically significant findings.

Xerostomia was complained by 91.7% of SS patients recruited for the present study, versus 19,4% of the controls, thus overlapping this finding to that reported by Soto-Rojas et al. ⁴⁴ (98% of SS patients) and by Olate et al. ⁴⁵, who detected features of sicca syndrome in 100% of SS patients. This remarkable symptom is confirmed by the salivary test, with a significantly reduced salivary flow in 26.4% of patients. In addition, the hyposalivation may be responsible for dysgeusia (31,9% in SS patients against 4,2% of the controls) and dysphagia, complained only by subjects with SS (13,9%).

The main oral signs reported in SS patients are: dental caries (56,9 %), gingivitis with swollen and reddened gums (75%), exfoliative and angular cheilitis (16,7%) with dry, cracked and pelling lips. These data show a similar prevalence if compared with findings by Błochowiak et al. ¹³, who recorded cheilitis in 18,2% of SS patients. About gingivitis and periodontal conditions, Antoniazzi et al. ⁴⁶ found that the SS patient group presented significantly higher percentage of gingivitis than controls. On the other side, Pedersen et al. ⁴⁷ and Boutsi et al. ⁴⁸ both showed that SS patients did not have a significantly higher periodontal disease if compared to healthy controls.

In this study, atrophy of filiform papillae (16,7 %), stomatitis as well as candidiasis (12,5 %), non- specific ulcerations (20,8 %) were detected. The prevalence of this findings is higher in Ergun et al. ⁴⁹: atrophy of filiform papilla and oral ulcerations affected 48,65% and 35,13% of patients, respectively.

About TMD symptoms, most of them show statistically significant prevalence. They include pain in the pre-auricular area (54,2 %), tinnitus and ear pain (55,5 %), neck and shoulders pain or stiffness (77,7%), subjective weakness (27,7 %) and pain during movement of masticatory muscles (44,4%), temporal headaches (41,6 %), a feeling of locked during opening mouth (44,4 %). All these were proved to be more recurring findings in the study group than in the control one.

The most common symptom in patients with SS was myalgia during palpation and arthralgia, as reported by Y. Keris et al. ⁴¹, having considered the posterior, middle and anterior part of the temporalis muscle, masseter muscle, lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.

The present study additionally evaluated the following muscles: sternocleidomastoid, digastric, mylohyoid.

Symptoms related to muscle palpation indicate muscular contracture in SS patients, especially in superficial (56.91%, χ² = 11.329, p<0.001) and deep masseter (47.22%, χ² = 17.098, p<0.001). Values recorded for medial and posterior temporalis muscle and lateral pterygoid muscle are not statistically significant, showing a similar distribution in both groups.

Restrictions on mandibular movements were not statistically significant respect to control group. Only endfeel (χ²=5,482, p= 0,019) was significant. The latter supports the data obtained during muscles palpation, translating the subjective complaint into an objective and numeric value.

The results about joint sounds during mandibular movements do not deviate from Keris ⁴¹, except for a significant prevalence in the SS group regarding to pop noise. Moreover, they differ in a work by List ²², that showed 57% of SS patients had clicking.

Parafunctional habits, likely related to stress, showed a low prevalence of clenching (χ² = 4.05 p= 0.044), wear facets (χ² = 4.012, p= 0.045), and bruxism (χ² = 4.757, p= 0.029).

As regards alterations of the mandibular kinematic, only the deflection is statistically significant (18,05% of SS versus 5,5% of controls; χ² = 5.402, p= 0.020).

List and collaborators ²² found that 29% of patients with SS exhibited arthritis or arthralgia at the TMJ. In addition, the pain in the joint palpitations was higher in the SS patients than the controls, but there is no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p> 0.05). This finding differs from what emerged from the present work (54,4% of SS patients versus 25% of controls; χ² = 12,8, p<0.001).

Conclusion

From the analysis of the data collected, a statistically significant increase of oral manifestations was detected in SS patients when compared to a control healthy group. Particularly, xerostomia and all its consequences such as dysgeusia, dysphagia, dental caries, gingivitis, angular cheilitis and candidiasis were found to be more frequent in patients with SS.

In addition to oral manifestations and rheumatological implications, Sjӧgren's syndrome seems to play a role in TMD especially as regards to muscular contracture (high prevalence of myalgia to muscle palpation and positive endfeel) and joint disease (greater pop-noise and deflection during mandibular opening), causing an increase in orofacial pain and an altered chewing function.

Authors' Contribution

Study Design A

Data Collection B

Statistical Analysis C

Data Interpretation D

Manuscript Preparation E

Literature Search F

ADE Vito Crincoli

CD Mariasevera Di Comite

BF Mariateresa Guerrieri

EF Rossana Patricia Rotolo

F Luisa Limongelli

F Angela Tempesta

A Florenzo Iannone

BF Angela Rinaldi

A Giovanni Lapadula

A Gianfranco Favia

Table 5.

Subjective complaints of oral discomfort in SS and controls.

Oral symptoms	SS	Controls	Test	p Value
Xerostomia	66 (91,67%)	14 (19,44%)	Χ2 = 76,05	<0,001
Dysgeusia	23 (31,94%)	3 (4,17 %)	Χ2 = 18,774	<0,001
Dysphagia	10 (14,1%)	0	Fisher exact test	<0,001

Abbreviations

SS

Sjögren Syndrome

TMD

temporomandibular disorders

TMJ

temporomandibular joint

RDC/TMD

research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders

TMDs

symptoms of temporomandibular disorders

OD

opening derangement

BRUX

bruxism

TMJs

sounds of temporomandibular joint

MP

myofascial pain

RM

restricted movements

AECG

American-European Consensus Group

VAS

visual analogic scale.