Does marital status influence TMD-related chronic pain? A cross-sectional study

Background: Pain is a complex sensory experience and can be influenced by psychosocial factors, such as romantic relationships.

Objective: To evaluate the association between marital status and temporomandibular disorder-related chronic pain.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) through Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I were assessed for chronic pain and marital and socioeconomic status, according to Axis II. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the association between chronic pain and the predictive variables.

Results: Three hundred and ten patients were included in the sample, the majority being female (74.5%), single (52.3%), and diagnosed with chronic pain (85.1%). The adjusted analysis showed about a 5-time greater chance of chronic pain occurrence with high disability in individuals who were married or in a common-law marriage (OR 5.99; 95% CI 1.45-24.73). Also, women were 7.62 times more likely to develop chronic pain with high disability (OR 7.62; 95% CI 2.03-28.52).

Conclusion: Marital status showed an impact on chronic pain, with married individuals and those in a common-law marriage being the most affected by high disability chronic pain.