Maxillary and oral disorders should be investigated in inflammatory myopathies

Inflammatory myopathies are autoimmune neuromuscular diseases frequently associated with extra-muscular manifestations. Several varieties can be distinguished according to the clinical (with or without cutaneous involvement), histological and immunological profile. 

In an article published in July 2021, Italian clinicians examined the oro-maxillary sphere of 54 patients with myositis (22 with dermatomyositis, 29 with polymyositis and 3 with inclusion myositis). Disorders of the temporomandibular joint and manifestations in the mouth in particular were studied using a clinical examination supplemented by a questionnaire. A comparison of these data was made with the data of a control group matched for age and gender. Taste disturbances (dysgeusia or ageusia) and burning or dryness in the mouth were significantly more common in patients with myositis, as was dysphagia. The results were more contrasted in the temporomandibular joint, pain phenomena, more muscular than mechanical, being the most frequently reported. The authors also report that the prevalence of bruxism (repeated and unconscious rubbing movements of the teeth) was significantly higher in the control group.

 

Temporomandibular Disorders and Oral Features in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIMs) Patients: An Observational Study. Crincoli V, Cannavale M, Cazzolla AP et al Int J Med Sci. 2021 (Juillet).18(14):3158-3170.