Suma, S, Veerendra Kumar, B · Indian journal of dental research : official publication of Indian Society for Dental Research · 2012 · DOI
This paper discusses jaw and joint problems (temporomandibular disorders) that commonly occur alongside conditions like ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. It explains that these jaw problems are often overlooked because they stem from increased pain sensitivity related to stress and psychological factors, rather than just physical damage. The authors argue that dentists need to recognize these connections and adjust their treatment approach for patients with these overlapping conditions.
For ME/CFS patients, this paper highlights an understudied but potentially common co-morbidity (jaw/joint pain) that may worsen fatigue and disability. Recognition of this connection could improve clinical care by prompting dentists and physicians to use appropriate, multidisciplinary management strategies tailored to central sensitization rather than standard mechanical treatments.
This literature review does not establish the prevalence of TMD in ME/CFS, the directionality of causation, or whether TMD is truly part of ME/CFS pathophysiology versus a separate but frequently co-occurring condition. It also does not provide robust evidence for which modified treatment protocols are most effective.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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