OBJECTIVES: To compare subjective and objective pain intensity and associated characteristics in myofascial pain (MFP) patients with and without migraine. METHODS: The sample was comprised by 203 consecutive patients, mean age of 40.3 (89.2% of females), primarily diagnosed with MFP, who presented to the UCLA Orofacial Pain Clinic. Patients with secondary diagnosis of migraine (n=83) were included and comprised group 2. In order to compare group 1 (MFP) with group 2 (MFP + migraine) regarding objective pain (palpation scores) and subjective by means of visual analog scales (VAS) pain levels. Also, comparisons of mood problems, jaw function problems, sleep quality and disability levels using VAS were performed using the Mann-Whitney test. A significance level of 5% was adopted. RESULTS: Mann-Whitney test revealed that group 2 presented significantly higher pain levels on palpation of masticatory and cervical muscles in comparison to group 1 (p<0.05). Group 2 also presented higher levels of subjective pain, with statistical significance for "pain at the moment" and "highest pain" (p<0.05). Additionally, group 2 showed higher levels of mood problems, disability, jaw function impairment and sleep problems than group 1 with statistical significance for the later (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine comorbidity demonstrated a significant impact on pain intensity and life quality of patients with MFP. Clinicians should approach both conditions in order to achieve better treatment outcomes.
Temporomandibular disorders; Orofacial pain; Migraine
