Temporo-mandibular disorders are an important comorbidity of migraine and may be clinically difficult to distinguish them from tension-type headache

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2014 Feb;72(2):99-103. doi: 10.1590/0004-282X20130221.

Abstract

Clinical differentiation between the primary headaches and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can be challenging.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between TMD and primary headaches by conducting face to face assessments in patients from an orofacial pain clinic and a headache tertiary center.

Method: Sample consists of 289 individuals consecutively identified at a headache center and 78 individuals seen in an orofacial pain clinic because of symptoms suggestive of TMD.

Results: Migraine was diagnosed in 79.8% of headache sufferers, in headache tertiary center, and 25.6% of those in orofacial pain clinic (p<0.001). Tension-type headache was present in 20.4% and 46.1%, while the TMD painful occurred in 48.1% and 70.5% respectively (p<0.001).

Conclusion: TMD is an important comorbidity of migraine and difficult to distinguish clinically from tension-type headache, and this headache was more frequent in the dental center than at the medical center.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / diagnosis
  • Migraine Disorders / etiology*
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / complications*
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / diagnosis
  • Tension-Type Headache / diagnosis
  • Tension-Type Headache / etiology*