The Influence of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on TMJ Disorders, OSAS and BMI

Sabina Saccomanno, Stefano Saran, Martina De Luca, Rodolfo Francesco Mastrapasqua, Luca Raffaelli and Luca Levrini
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Sabina Saccomanno: Department of Health, Life and Environmental Science, University of L’Aquila, Piazza Salvatore Tommasi, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Stefano Saran: Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, School of Dentistry, Postgraduate of Orthodontics, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
Martina De Luca: Dental School, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Rodolfo Francesco Mastrapasqua: ENT Department, Rivoli Hospital, ASL TORINO 3, 10098 Torino, Italy
Luca Raffaelli: Dental School, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
Luca Levrini: Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, School of Dentistry, Postgraduate of Orthodontics, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: The pandemic of the 21st century had a significant influence on the lives of the world population in a negative way. This situation determined a change of lifestyle; it caused the necessity of social isolation for a great number of people. In fact, people tended to avoid crowded environments, social events, to reduce medical checks and sports activities, favoring sedentary life because of fear of the virus. This social attitude brought a high level of stress that worsened many health conditions. This study has the aim of evaluating the possible influence of the pandemic on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and body mass index (BMI). An anonymized survey, available in two languages (Italian and English), was given to 208 patients from different private dental practices. In this questionnaire, the patients shared experiences about their life during the pandemic. The article highlighted that during this health emergency, there was an increase in body weight in the considered sample. This brought a worsening of OSAS in 65% of patients with a previous diagnosis. Eventually, an increase in TMJ disorders and orofacial pain was reported.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; body mass index; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; temporomandibular joint disorders; orofacial pain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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