A questionnaire-based study of sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality in a TMJ and orofacial pain clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationships among sleep quality, perceived pain, and psychological distress among patients with TMJ and orofacial pain.

METHODS: The authors examined 3276 patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) who visited the Orofacial Pain Clinic at Yonsei University College of Dentistry. The authors conducted a survey using the sleep-quality questionnaire and classified TMD patients into two groups based on Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. For statistical analysis, the authors calculated the correlations between pain intensity as measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and various factors.

RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed correlations between pain intensity on the NRS and some of the factors in the sleep questionnaire. The pain intensity increased with age and for lower sleep efficiency (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: These results imply that clinicians treating patients with orofacial pain should examine their sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality.