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Abstract

Background: Chronic migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder frequently accompanied by comorbid conditions, including temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Due to overlapping symptomatology and shared pathophysiological mechanisms such as central sensitization, TMD may influence the severity and management of chronic migraine. However, limited data exist regarding the prevalence and clinical profile of TMD in chronic migraine populations, particularly in South Asian contexts.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of temporomandibular joint disorders in individuals diagnosed with chronic migraine.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care medical and dental hospital in Lahore over an eight-month period (October 2024 to June 2025). A total of 210 patients aged 18–55 years with chronic migraine, diagnosed per ICHD-3 criteria, were evaluated for TMD using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Data on TMD subtypes and pain-related disability were also collected using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v28.0 with a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: TMD was present in 94 of 210 chronic migraine patients (44.8%). Myofascial pain was the most common subtype (40.4%), followed by disc displacement (23.4%) and arthralgia (14.9%). Mixed-type TMD was observed in 21.3% of cases. Among TMD-positive patients, 33.0% exhibited Grade 3 disability and 18.1% were categorized in Grade 4 by GCPS.
Conclusion: TMDs, particularly pain-related subtypes, are highly prevalent in patients with chronic migraine. Early identification and multidisciplinary management of TMD may improve clinical outcomes and quality of life in this population.