Evaluation of skin sensitivity in individuals presented with temporomandibular disorder

ABSTRACT Purpose: to identify the occurrence of a difference in skin sensitivity between analogous points on the face in individuals with temporomandibular disorder. Methods: a total of 60 individuals of both genders, aged 18 to 73 years, participated in the study. People classified with TMD signs and symptoms with the Fonseca Anamnestic Questionnaire were included. The skin sensitivity was evaluated with a Semmes-Weinstein esthesiometer. Sensitivity change was defined in this study as the occurrence of a difference between analogous points on both hemifaces. The localization of the points followed the regional block anatomical description and was confirmed with a neuromuscular electrostimulation device. The collected data were analyzed statistically with a 5% significance level. Results: the occurrence of a difference in sensitivity between the analogous points had a significant association with age group and severity of TMD. However, no association was perceived between sensitivity change and gender. Conclusion: in the population studied, the more severe the temporomandibular disorder, the greater the skin sensitivity change on the face. Also, the older the person, the higher the number of analogous points with a difference in sensitivity.

摘要
目的：本研究旨在识别颞下颌关节紊乱病（temporomandibular disorder, TMD）患者面部双侧对应位点的皮肤敏感性差异发生情况。
方法：本研究共纳入60名男女受试者，年龄区间为18~73岁。纳入经Fonseca病史回顾问卷（Fonseca Anamnestic Questionnaire）确诊存在TMD体征与症状的人群。采用Semmes-Weinstein触觉测痛仪（Semmes-Weinstein esthesiometer）评估皮肤敏感性。本研究将敏感性变化定义为双侧半面部对应位点间出现敏感性差异。位点定位遵循区域性解剖阻滞描述，并通过神经肌肉电刺激装置予以确认。收集的数据以5%的显著性水平开展统计学分析。
结果：对应位点间的敏感性差异发生情况与年龄组及TMD严重程度存在显著关联，但未发现敏感性变化与性别之间存在相关性。
结论：在本研究纳入的人群中，颞下颌关节紊乱病病情越严重，患者面部对应位点的皮肤敏感性变化越显著。此外，受试者年龄越大，出现敏感性差异的对应位点数量越多。