Prevalência de distúrbios temporomandibulares e identificação de biomarcadores salivares

Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a collection of clinical syndromes that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles and related structures. TMD is among the main causes of orofacial pain and has a multifactorial etiology, which involves anatomical, psychological, and inflammatory factors. This multifactorial etiology has the tendency to complicate diagnosis and requires multidimensional approaches. Aim: The main goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of TMD in a clinical population and to explore, based on the scientific literature, the potential contribution of salivary biomarkers as further diagnostic and disease-monitoring tools, as well as to collect saliva samples for future molecular analysis. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 42 patients of the Viseu University Dental Clinic, evaluated with the Fonseca Anamnestic Index. Results: Global prevalence of TMD was 73,8%, and that of mild and moderate or severe TMD was 42.9% and 31%, respectively. Joint sounds (50%), parafunctional habit (45,2%), and emotional tension (57.1%) were recorded as important clinical signs. The relationship between TMD severity and gender, age, and BMI variables was not statistically significant, but followed the trends in published literature. In parallel, this thesis meets the recently evolving role of saliva biomarkers for the early diagnosis of TMD. Recent literature has reported alterations in the levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-8), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2), cortisol, and specific metabolites in the saliva of TMD patients that mirrors underlying inflammatory, oxidative, and neuroendocrine pathways. Saliva has thus emerged as a promising, non-invasive biological fluid with simple access, with the potential to contribute to diagnosis and guide individualized treatment strategies. Conclusion: the current research confirms the increased occurrence of TMD in a clinical sample and emphasizes the necessity for the simultaneous application of both clinical and molecular approaches in diagnosing and monitoring this complex condition.

Date of Award	23 Jul 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Raquel Silva (Supervisor), Vanessa Maria Barroso dos Santos Silva (Co-Supervisor) & Patrícia Fonseca (Co-Supervisor)