• Christopher Schmidt, Taila Ertel, Martin Arbogast, Boris Hügle, KalleThekla vonTV, Andreas Neff, and Collaborators.
• Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Marburg UKGM GmbH, Marburg; Department of Nephrology, Agaplesion Markus Krankenhaus, Frankfurt/Main; Medical Department, Winsen Hospital; Department of Rheumatic Orthopedics and Hand Surgery, Waldburg-Zeil Kliniken, Klinik Oberammergau; German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen; Institute of Radiology, Olgahospital, Klinikum Stuttgart.
• Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2022 Jan 28; 119 (4): 47-54.

BackgroundInvolvement of the temporomandibular joint can be shown in 40-90% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), although it is often asymptomatic. Restricted jaw mobility and jaw pain can be found in approximately 20% of patients with JIA (prevalence: 70 per 100 000 persons). Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease are essential for a good outcome, but uniform, consensus-based management is still lacking.MethodsThe clinical practice guideline is based on the findings of a systematic literature review in multiple databases and a Delphi procedure to obtain consensus on the recommendations.ResultsMost of the identified studies were retrospective. Patients with JIA should undergo clinical screening with a structured examination protocol once per year in childhood and adolescence, and thereafter as well if the temporomandibular joint is involved. The diagnosis of chronic rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint is established with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative treatment (antirheumatic basal therapy, local measures) is unsuccessful in less than 10% of patients. In such cases, arthroscopy and arthrocentesis can be used for temporary symptom relief and functional improvement. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections should be given only once, and only in otherwise intractable cases. In severe cases where all other options have been exhausted (<1%), open surgical treatment can be considered, including alloplastic joint replacement.ConclusionOligosymptomatic and asymptomatic cases are common even with radiologic evidence of marked joint damage. The possibility of rheumatic involvement of the temporomandibular joint must be kept in mind so that serious complications can be avoided. Regular clinical evaluation of the temporomandibular joint is recommended, particularly for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

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