engleski

Chronic Orofacial Pain in War Veterans with PTSD

The aetiology of chronic orofacial pain is unclear. The role of stress is stil under discussion. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of orofacial pain among a group of Croatian War veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occuring as a conseguence of exposure to war stress. Methods: A group of 100 male subjects (x=35.56&#177; ; 6.12 ; range 25-52) who had participated in the War in Croatia and had PTSD was examined. The control group comprised 100 subjects of the same sex and age (x=34.5&#177; ; 7.67 ; range 24-51) who hadn't participated in the war and hadn't PTSD. The study used a questionaire and a clinic examination. Results: Fourthy per cent of the PTSD group reported pain in the facial area compared to no one of the healthy subject (Chi-Square 22.56 ; p<0.0001). The greatest difference is related to headaches (78% PTSD group, 4% control group ; Chi-Square 53.58 ; p<0.0001). Painful mandiburar movements were present in 36% of the PTSD group compared to 2% of the control group (Chi-Square 18.85 ; p<0.0001). Fifty-four per cent of the PTSD group had tenderness of the temporomandibular joints to palpation and 94% had tenderness at one or more muscle site compared to 2% (Chi-Square 33.53 ; p<0.0001) and to 48% of the control group (Chi-Square 23.51, p<0.0001). Conclusion: High presence of orofacial pain in exameenes with PTSD and statistically significant difference compare to healthy control group confirms the important role of war stress on pain perception.

orofacial pain; PTSD; muscle tendernes

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