FREQUENCY AND IMPACT OF TRISMUS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH MEASURED THROUGH THE GTQ INDEX
Main Article Content
Keywords
Trismus, Quality of life, Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire, Patient-reported outcomes, Oral function
Abstract
Background: Limited mouth opening (trismus) is a common clinical condition associated with various oral and maxillofacial disorders and has a substantial impact on daily functioning and quality of life. While objective clinical measurements are routinely used to assess trismus, patient-reported outcome measures are essential to understand its functional and psychosocial burden.
Objective: To determine the frequency of limited mouth opening and evaluate its impact on quality of life and health using the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 patients attending an outpatient department over a six-month period. Maximum interincisal opening was measured, and participants with mouth opening ≤ 35 mm were classified as having limited mouth opening. The GTQ was administered to all participants to assess jaw-related problems, eating limitations, muscular tension and pain, and overall quality-of-life impact. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.
Results: Limited mouth opening was observed in 38.3% of participants. Individuals with restricted mouth opening demonstrated substantially higher GTQ scores across all domains compared to those with normal mouth opening. The most affected domain was eating limitations, followed by overall quality-of-life impact, jaw-related problems, and muscular tension and pain, indicating significant functional impairment and reduced well-being among affected participants.
Conclusion: Limited mouth opening is a prevalent condition that significantly compromises quality of life and health. The Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire effectively captures the patient-perceived impact of trismus and complements objective clinical measurements. Early identification and comprehensive management strategies are essential to reduce the functional and psychosocial burden associated with this condition.
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Laraib Gul
Dental Surgeon, Police and Services Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Haris Fawad Khan
Dental Surgeon in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Mardan Medical Complex, Mardan, Pakistan
Maha Munir
House Officer, Shifa College of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Afsheen Riaz
HOD, Assistant Professor Paedodontics, Paedodontics Department, Shahida Islam Dental College, Lodhran, Pakistan
Sadia Javed
Assistant Professor, Shahida Islam Dental College, Lodhran, Pakistan
Kanwal Safeer
Lecturer, Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Pakistan
