Objectives: Evaluate the relation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and bone changes in the temporomandibular joint diagnosed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were recorded in the PROSPERO database, using the CRD42020153246 protocol. The electronic searches were performed in the following databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cochrane, and Open Grey. Cross-sectional studies that evaluated patients with RA with bone changes in the temporomandibular joint diagnosed by CBCT, without language restriction or publication date, were included. Meta-analysis was performed in Stata Software (StataCorp, TX, USA, version 12.0), using the metan, and a random effects model, and the risk of different bone alterations occurring in adults with and without arthritis was estimated using odds ratios (ORs) as a pooled measure of effect. Forest plots were used to present the isolated and the pooled effects (ORs and 95% CI).
Results: Six studies were used for qualitative synthesis and 2 studies for quantitative synthesis. All studies diagnosed higher prevalence changes in the bone structures of the TMJ of RA patients, described as erosion, flattening, sclerosis, and osteophytes. Meta-analysis showed that the chance of bone changes occurring in components of the TMJ is greater in individuals who have RA.
Conclusion: There is an association between RA and bone changes in TMJ structures diagnosed through CBCT, as RA patients were more likely to have osteoarthritic changes in this joint.
Clinical relevance: Understanding the existence of an association between bone alterations in TMJ and RA can assist in the management of patients.
Keywords: Arthritis; Cone-beam computed tomography; Mandibular condyle; Rheumatoid; Temporomandibular joint.