Transcriptomic profiling of patients with TMD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Global transcriptomic profiling of patients with temporomandibular disorders: A pilot investigation on the molecular mechanisms of pain
IRAS ID
317401
Contact name
Ikhlas El-karim
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast Research Governance
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
TMD (temporomandibular disorders) are a group of conditions which can cause pain and/or stiffness around the jaw, ear and temple. Many risk factors for developing TMD have been documented, however recent research in the United States has shown that presence of pre-existing chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia is the most influential predictor of patients developing TMD. Research has also showed that TMD and other chronic pain conditions share common features, both clinically observable and at a molecular level. With our pilot study we aim to gain preliminary insight into the ‘mechanism’ or underlying process of TMD pain for patients who do, and also those who don’t, have fibromyalgia. We hypothesise that the chronic pain observed in TMD and fibromyalgia are related by a shared pathway at genetic level. In this case control study, patients attending Newcastle Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust and Belfast Trust will be invited to participate in the study. Participants will be clustered into 3 groups; (1) patients with myalgia (m) TMD and fibromyalgia (2) patients with mTMD and no other chronic pain condition (3) gender- and age-matched healthy controls with no mTMD or any other pain condition. A convenience sample of 20 subjects in each group will be needed to provide data that can be analysed. Participants will undergo history taking, clinical assessment, fill in questionnaires and provide venous blood samples. Lab based analysis of blood samples will be carried out looking at genetic information for the different groups to identify patterns. The long term aim of this project is to help develop effective targeted treatments for TMD sufferers.
The pilot study is being funded by a pump priming grant from the Royal College of Surgeons of England - Faculty of Dental Surgery and British and Irish Society of Oral Medicine.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0009
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion