Salivary Cortisol As a Biomarker in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorder

t is recognized that cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is a marker that is elevated in patients with psychological disorders, particularly anxiety. On the other hand, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are a condition with a multifactorial etiology, in which emotional disturbances play a crucial role.

Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether patients with TMD have higher levels of salivary cortisol compared to the general population.

Initially, an assessment will be conducted using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) protocol to determine whether the patient suffer of any kind of Temporomandibular Disorder. Based on the results, individuals will be classified into two groups: the study group, consisting of patients with TMD, and the control group, composed of individuals without the disorder.

Those who agree to participate will be required to sign an informed consent form. Subsequently, a saliva sample will be collected for analysis.

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Key information

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Craniomandibular Disorders Jaw Diseases Joint Diseases Mandibular Diseases Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Faculty of Medicine of University of Coimbra

Coimbra, Coimbra District, 3000-075, Portugal

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Bruno Macedo, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+351-239 249 151

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients who attend the dental clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of University of Coimbra

Exclusion criteria

Pregnant women, minors and non-autonomous individuals

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Salivary cortisol concentration

Time frame: One day

The collection should be performed at the time specified by the physician and at least 30 minutes after the ingestion of solid or liquid foods. A collection tube must be obtained from the laboratory, and the following steps should be followed:

Remove the smaller tube from the collection kit. Open the tube, take out the swab, and place it in the mouth. Gently chew the swab for approximately 1 minute or until swallowing the accumulated saliva becomes unavoidable.

Return the swab to the smaller tube, ensure it is securely sealed, and then place it inside the larger tube.

Immediately freeze the sample.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Bruno Macedo, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+351-239 249 151

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Coimbra

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Assessment of Salivary Cortisol As a Biomarker in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorder

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Mar 13, 2025
Registry last updated: Mar 13, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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