Catastrophizing, Central Sensitization and Chronic Pain-Related Tmd: How Is This Association?

INTRODUCTION: most of the individuals who present catastrophizing and central sensitization also present chronic pain, as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). AIM: to analyze whether there is an association between the variables of pain intensity, central sensitization, and catastrophizing in women with chronic pain-related TMD. METHODS: an observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, comprising a sample of 50 women diagnosed with chronic pain-related TMD according to the DC/TMD – Brazilian Portuguese version. The following questionnaires/protocols were applied: Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Central Sensitization Inventory (BP-CSI)), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS). For the analysis of the PCS and CSI scores, the 75th percentile was used to determine the cutoff points, and Multiple Linear Regression Tests (p < 0.05) was applied. RESULTS: The sample showed overall higher cutoff values ​​for catastrophization (32.3), rumination (12.4), magnification (5.7), helplessness (13.9), and central sensitization (52.2). Statistical association was found between the time of pain-related TMD (in months), number of painful points, and total catastrophizing score (F = 0.72; p = 0.004). This association was not found to central sensitization. That is, higher pain-related TMD time and/or higher number of painful points, also higher the catastrophizing. CONCLUSION: women with chronic painful TMD tend to have high levels of catastrophizing and central sensitization. There is a positive and proportional association between the duration of pain and/or the number of pailful points and catastrophizing in women with chronic pain-related TMD.