Table 1.
Descriptive data. Demographic features of patients with temporomandibular disorders myalgia (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20). Questionnaire scores are presented as mean ± standard deviation or as median (interquartile range). Statistical parameters are reported only when the distributions in the two groups differed significantly, p < 0.05 (t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test).
| Variable | Patients | Controls | p-Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 28.1 ± 8.8 | 28.3 ± 8.4 | p > 0.05 |
| Sex, (n, F/M) | 14/6 | 14/6 | p > 0.05 |
| Body Mass Index (kg/m2) | 24.4 ± 3.8 | 22.7 ± 3.0 | p > 0.05 |
| Number of teeth | 28 (2) | 30 (3) | p > 0.05 |
| Pain-free opening (mm) | 41.4 ± 10.8 | 56.4 ± 5.9 | p < 0.0001 |
| Maximum unassisted opening (mm) | 54.0 ± 6.0 | 57.7 ± 6.1 | p > 0.05 |
| Salivary Flow (ml/min) | 1.57 ± 0.50 | 1.74 ± 1.05 | p > 0.05 |
| Pain duration (years) | 6.3 ± 6.3 | 0 (0) | p < 0.001 |
| Current pain intensity (NRS) | 6 (2.5) | 0 (0) | p < 0.001 |
| CPI | 65 (27) | 0 (0) | p < 0.001 |
| PHQ-9 Score (0–36) | 6.5 (7) | 1 (3.5) | p < 0.001 |
| PHQ-15 Score (0–30) | 11.5 (9) | 2.5 (4) | p < 0.0001 |
| GAD-7 Score (0–28) | 3.5 (8.5) | 1 (2.5) | p < 0.01 |
| PSS-10 Score (0–40) | 15.5 (10) | 10 (8) | p < 0.01 |
| JFLS Score (0–10) | 1.65 (2.0) | 0 (0) | p < 0.0001 |
| PCS Score | 15 (18) | 5 (10) | p < 0.01 |
| ISI Score | 10 (15) | 5 (5) | p < 0.01 |
| PPT reference (kPa) | 382 ± 127 | 437 ±130 | p > 0.05 |
| PPT masseter muscle (kPa) | 179 ± 63 | 272 ± 81 | p < 0.001 |
n = number of subjects in each group; NRS = Numeric Rating Scale; CPI = Characteristic Pain Intensity; PHQ = Patient Health Questionnaire; GAD = Generalized Anxiety Disorder; PSS = Perceived Stress Scale; JFLS = Jaw Functional Limitation Scale; PCS = Pain Catastrophizing Scale; ISI = Insomnia Severity Index; PPT = Pressure Pain Threshold.