TMJ osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis and immune system factors in a Japanese sample.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is an association between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis (OA) and immune system factors in a Japanese sample.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 41 subjects (7 men, aged 22.0 +/- 3.8 years; 34 women, aged 24.8 +/- 6.3 years) and 41 pair-matched controls (7 men, aged 22.1 +/- 2.3 years; 34 women, aged 24.8 +/- 6.4 years) based on age and gender were reviewed. Information on medical history included local or systemic diseases, details on medication type and use, and the presence of allergies and asthma. Dental history questions referred to details regarding past oral injuries. The validity of the hypothesis, defining allergies and asthma as risk factors in OA, was tested by using a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: The incidence of allergy was significantly higher in the TMJ OA (P = .008), with a mean odds ratio of 4.125 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.446-11.769.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that allergy may be a risk factor in association with TMJ OA in this Japanese sample.