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Dietary patterns and psychosocial factors in temporomandibular disorders: A cross-sectional study
This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between dietary patterns and temporomandibular disorders (TMD), with a focus on dietary inflammatory potential, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and psychosocial predictors. A total of 92 participants, comprising 45 TMD patients and 47 controls aged 20–50, were recruited in Portugal and Spain. TMD diagnoses adhered to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD). Psycho-social assessments utilized the PHQ-9 for depression, PHQ-15 for somatic symptoms, and the Oral Behavior Checklist (OBC). Dietary intake was evaluated through a 24-hour recall method, analyzed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), and Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and OPLS-DA multivariate modeling. Results indicated that TMD patients exhibited significantly higher scores for somatic symptoms, depressive symptoms, and maladaptive oral behaviors compared to controls. Although no significant differences were noted for DII or MEDAS scores, TMD patients had markedly lower HEI scores and PPT values in the masseter, temporalis, and TMJ regions. OPLS-DA revealed that oral behaviors, somatic symptoms, and lower HEI scores were the most potent predictors differentiating TMD patients from controls. These findings highlight the correlation between painful TMD, increased psychosocial distress, and diminished dietary quality, suggesting the necessity of incorporating dietary assessments into TMD clinical evaluations and management strategies. [NPID: temporomandibular disorders, inflammation, diet, pain, psychosocial]
Year: 2025
