# Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients: a systematic review

## TL;DR

This study finds that people with irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to have temporomandibular disorders, suggesting a possible link through stress-related mechanisms.

## Contribution

The paper systematically reviews and quantifies the higher prevalence of TMD in IBS patients compared to controls.

## Key findings

- TMD prevalence was significantly higher in IBS patients than in pooled controls.
- No significant differences in TMD prevalence were found among IBS subtypes.
- The findings suggest a shared stress-related pathophysiological mechanism between IBS and TMD.

## Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) refer to a
collection of pathological conditions that impact the stomatognathic system,
often associated with psychiatric comorbidities. Interestingly, previous studies
have reported a higher prevalence of TMD in individuals affected by irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition commonly linked to stress-induced psychosomatic
factors. The aim of this systematic review is to clarify the prevalence of TMD in
IBS-diagnosed patients. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to May 2024,
following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
(PRISMA) guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of
Interventions. Eligibility criteria included studies reporting prevalence data on
TMD in IBS patients. Study quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias in
Non-randomized Studies-of Exposure (ROBINS-E) tool. Results: A total of
five studies, involving 3138 patients, were included. TMD prevalence was
significantly higher in IBS patients compared to pooled controls. However, no
significant differences were observed among IBS subtypes regarding TMD
prevalence. Conclusions: This review highlights a substantially higher
prevalence of TMD in IBS patients compared to the general population, suggesting
a shared pathophysiological mechanism likely linked to stress response systems.
These findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach to patient
management and emphasize the importance of further research to explore the causal
links and underlying mechanisms between IBS and TMD. The PROSPERO
Registration: The protocol has been registered on the International Prospective
Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the number CRD42024542233.