OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding the current understanding of the etiology and treatment, both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic, of orofacial pain conditions including temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). This review briefly discusses the etiology and pathophysiology underlying the development of TMDs, generally accepted nonpharmacologic methods of treatment, and the most common current pharmacologic management approaches. DATA SOURCES: Current medical literature and the authors' clinical experiences. DATA SYNTHESIS: TMDs encompass a number of diagnostic subgroups that involve the masticatory musculature, the temporomandibular joint(s), and associated structures. More than 10 million individuals in the United States are affected by TMDs. Most current pharmacologic management approaches in the treatment of orofacial pain conditions, including TMDs, involve the use of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of pharmacists who are knowledgeable in the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment approaches on the TMD management team would improve therapeutic monitoring, follow-up, and outcomes in these patients.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sex, gender, and blood pressure: contributions to experimental pain report.

OBJECTIVE: The current study investigated whether the relationship between sex and experimental pain report was explained by systolic blood pressure (SBP) at rest or during pain task, by gender-role socialization as assessed by the Bem Sex Role Inventory, or both. The influence of gender-role socialization on pain report is often inferred but rarely studied. METHODS: Fifty female and 54 male healthy, young adults completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory and then underwent a cold pressor task. Blood pressure was assessed before and during pain testing. RESULTS: Univariate analyses indicated significant sex-related differences in pain threshold and pain tolerance. Baseline SBP was positively related to pain tolerance but did not explain sex differences, in accord with previous research. The Bem Sex Role Inventory demonstrated a relationship with pain, but did not explain sex differences. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that context-specific measures of gender are needed to assess gender-related pain behaviors in specific situations. Results from the current study support our contention that gender is part of sex as commonly measured. Also, blood pressure does not appear to fully account for sex-related differences in pain.

Adolescent↗