A study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) indicates that individuals diagnosed with a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) have a significantly higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared to those without the disorder. The research involved 100 participants, with half diagnosed with TMD and half serving as controls, matched by age and sex.
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TMD encompasses a range of conditions that impact the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, leading to symptoms such as joint pain, difficulty opening the mouth, and facial pain. Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repeated airway collapse during sleep, causing brief interruptions in breathing. Both conditions are prevalent, yet specialists often overlook screening for sleep apnea in those presenting with jaw pain, and vice versa.
The study revealed that TMD patients scored nearly double the points on a sleep apnea risk questionnaire compared to controls. Over 60% of TMD patients were categorized in the intermediate or high-risk ranges for sleep apnea, in contrast to just 24% of the non-TMD group. This correlation persisted even after adjusting for factors that typically affect sleep apnea risk, like age, sex, and body mass index, highlighting a significant connection between TMD and sleep apnea.
Notably, specific symptoms, including snoring, persistent fatigue, and episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, were strongly linked to higher sleep apnea risk among TMD patients. These signs may often be noticed by patients and their partners. The study suggests that individuals experiencing a combination of these symptoms along with jaw pain should inform their healthcare providers.