Self-reported bruxism in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

The present study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported awake/sleep bruxism, and orofacial pain with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A case–control study with a convenience sample was designed. Participants were recruited from a university-based Trauma Ambulatory. The diagnosis of PTSD was established through a clinical interview and the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-I/P). Thirty-eight PTSD patients and 38 controls completed the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis-II to categorize awake/sleep bruxism and orofacial pain. Following this, we performed a short clinical examination of the temporomandibular joint and extraoral muscles.

Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that awake bruxism was associated with PTSD (OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.01–11.27, p = 0.047). Sleep bruxism was not associated with any covariate included in the model. In a Poisson regression model, PTSD (IRR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.38–6.55, p = 0.005) and the muscle pain/discomfort (IRR = 5.12, 95% CI = 2.80–9.36, p < 0.001) were significant predictors for current orofacial pain.

PTSD was associated with self-reported awake bruxism and low-intensity orofacial pain. These conditions were frequent outcomes in patients previously exposed to traumatic events.

We suggest including a two-question screening for bruxism in psychiatry/psychology interviews to improve under-identification and to prevent harmful consequences at the orofacial level.