Analysis of the relationship of the vertical extension of mouth opening with muscle rigidity and sociodemographic factors in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Introduction: Changes caused by the rigidity of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can affect the mandibular musculature. However, few studies have been published about its impact on the oral opening. Objective: To analyze the relationship of the vertical extension of the oral opening with muscular rigidity and sociodemographic factors of the elderly with PD. Material and method: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study that collected data from a primary study conducted at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Pernambuco in 2018. Data were collected from medical records and from the questionnaire, Research Diagnostic Criterion for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The sample was composed of 81 parkinsonians and characterized using: sociodemographic variables and the presence or absence of muscular rigidity. The measures of vertical extension of the oral opening evaluated were: mouth opening without assistance and without pain (ABASD), and maximum mouth opening without assistance (AMBSA). The Pearson’s linear correlation and Spearman’s correlation tests were applied to investigate the relationship among the continuous variables. Analyses of association were conducted using simple logistic regression. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Result: Limitation of the oral opening was not related to age or sex. The greatest level of significance was between mouth opening without assistance and without pain and muscular rigidity (p=0.012), and years of schooling (p=0.038). Conclusion: The limitation of mouth opening in people with PD was shown to be related to muscular rigidity and fewer years of schooling.