Characteristics of Cytokine Response in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders Treated With Occlusal Splint Therapy

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Clinical Trial

Official title: Characteristics of Cytokine Response in Patients With Temporomandibular Disorders Treated With Occlusal Splint Therapy

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The goal of this intervention study is to determine the effect of occlusal splint (OS) therapy on the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Aims are:

• to determine cytokines level in GCF and serum before and after OS therapy

• to determine the degree of psychosocial dysfunction and oral health-related quality of life before and after OS therapy

• investigate the correlation between cytokines level in GCF and serum

• to determine the effect of OS on treatment outcomes, pain intensity, dysfunction, and psychosocial status of patients with painful TMD. Participants will be asked to complete self-assessment questionnaires, and GCF and blood samples will be collected before beginning of the OS therapy and at follow-up examinations one month and two months after.

Clinical Trial Description

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a multifactorial disease with complex etiopathogenesis. The main symptoms are persistent pain in the masticatory muscles and preauricular region, limitations in jaw function, and sounds in the temporomandibular joints. The most commonly used therapy is the occlusal splint (OS). The therapeutic effect of OS is attributed to various factors, however the exact mechanism is still unknown. One of the potential diagnostic methods is the use of molecular biomarkers. Studies have demonstrated a correlation between inflammatory cytokines and pain in TMD patients compared to healthy controls. Molecular biomarker levels can be determined from tissue samples and body fluids. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is a serum exudate that enters the gingival sulcus from the gingival plexus of blood vessels and contains proteins, various cell types, electrolytes, cytokines, etc. Considering its composition, wide availability, non-invasive method, and speed of collection, GCF could be a new source of TMD biomarkers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes.

Participants diagnosed with myalgia, arthralgia, headache attributed to TMP and/or painful disk displacement (with and without reduction) according to DC /TMD will be included in the study. Participants will be asked to complete self-assessment questionnaires: Graded Chronic Pain Scale (v2), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-20, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Genaral Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Oral Behaviors Checklist, Oral health Impact Profile, and Perceived Stress Scale-10. The occlusal splints will be fabricated from hard acrylic resin by the same dental technician in the dental laboratory. The GCF sample will be collected from the sulcus using sterile tweezers and sterile paper sticks and placed in an Eppendorf tube containing 250 µl of 0.9% NaCl solution. Blood samples will be collected in Vacutainers and stored at +4°C until centrifugation. For multicomplex quantitative analysis of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1 beta (IL -1β), interleukin 6 (IL - 6), interleukin 7 (IL -7), interleukin 8 (IL -8), interleukin 13 (IL -13), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)), adapted ProcartaPlex multiplex assays will be used. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Joint Diseases
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome

• NCT number: NCT06043024
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
• Contact: Renata Sikora
• Phone: +385 98 174 8326
• Email: rsikora@fdmz.hr
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 16, 2023
• Completion date: June 2024