Prediction of Temporomandibular Involvement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

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Purpose and aims The general aim of this project is to improve the diagnostic methods for disease activity and identify predictive factors (clinical and radiographic factors, pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in saliva and plasma) for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The hypothesis is that self-reported pain and impaired jaw function together with clinical findings correlates well with radiological signs of jaw involvement. Null hypothesis: Self-reported pain, impaired jaw function and clinical findings do not correlate with radiological signs of jaw involvement. Study 1 The aim of this study is to investigate which findings from the patient history and from clinical examination that is of significance for diagnostics of TMJ involvement in patients with JIA both in a short- and long-term perspective. The patients will be followed-up during two years. They will undergo a clinical examination according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD; Dworkin and LeResche 1992) once a year and a telephone follow-up sixth months after the clinical examination. Further, the clinical findings from the orofacial regions will be compared to their general disease activity. Study 2 The aim of the second study is to correlate radiological findings and clinical findings in order to investigate any early radiological signs of disease activity and progression but also to compare the radiographic examination using conventional panoramic technique with computer tomography (CT).

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