Dietary Profile of Women With Chronic Muscle Temporomandibular Disorder: An Observational Study

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the main chronic pain that affects the face, and it is associated with dietary changes due to pain and dysfunction. However, there is a scarcity of studies on its impact on nutrition and vice versa.

Objectives: To assess and compare the intake of energy and nutrients among chronic TMD myalgia and asymptomatic women and to evaluate data according to dietary reference intakes (DRI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) values.

Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 84 female subjects were evaluated according to the diagnostic criteria of TMD (DC/TMD) and allocated into two groups: asymptomatic group (n = 16) and TMD group (n = 68). Participants were assessed using three 24-h dietary recalls and then analysed for energy, macro and micronutrient content (Nutwin programme). The multiple source method programme was used to estimate participants' usual dietary intake. Usual energy and nutrients intake were also analysed according to the DRI and WHO values. The obtained data were analysed using SPSS 25.0 software. The data were considered significant when the p values were ≤ 0.05.

Results: The TMD group showed lowered usual intake of cholesterol, sodium, omega-3, omega-6, folate, magnesium, selenium and increased usual intake of trans fat. The TMD group showed a higher prevalence of inadequacy of selenium and folate intake.

Conclusion: Dietary intake inadequacies were observed in both groups; however, TMD women showed a significantly lower intake of several nutrients. Long-term dietary assessment is suggested to accurately investigate the relationship between TMD and nutrient deficiencies.