Temporomandibular Joint and COVID-19

This study investigates the effect of systemic status, according to American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA), and COVID-19 on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) scale, shown to be valid for assessing TMJ disorders. The study included 76 patients who presented to our clinic with TMJ. Participants were divided into two groups: those with COVID-19 (CV-19, study group) and those without (non-CV-19, control group). These two groups were both further divided into subgroups according to ASA 1 and ASA 2 classification. Power analyses were performed using G\*Power software to determine the required number of patients. Groups were compared using the Symptom Questionnaire, a demographics survey, the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), and the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20 (JFLS-20) of the DC/TMD. The statistical software program version 1.6.23 was used for statistical analysis. Although joint complaints were more common in ASA 2 patients with CV-19, the groups were not significantly different. The CV-19 ASA 2 group had the highest JFLS-20 score (mean: 1.3±1.5) and the non-CV-19 ASA 1 group had the lowest JFLS-20 score (mean: 0.7±0.8), but the differences were again not significant. Joint complaints were more common and more severe in ASA 2 patients with CV-19, albeit not with statistical significance. More studies are needed to better understand our results.