Differences in personality, perceived stress and physical activity in women with burning mouth syndrome compared to controls.

• Objectives Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a long-lasting pain condition which is commonly associated with anxiety symptoms and experience of adverse, stressful life events have been reported by those diagnosed with the syndrome. Stress-related biomarkers have been related to personality traits in BMS and a personality with high stress susceptibility and perceived stress may be of importance. Although biopsychosocial approaches are suggested to manage long-lasting orofacial pain, to date little is known about physical activity in women with BMS. The aim of this study was to investigate if personality, perceived stress and physical activity distinguish women with BMS from controls. Methods Fifty-six women with BMS and 56 controls matched on age and gender completed Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and a general questionnaire with an item on weekly physical activity frequency. In addition, health-related quality of life was explored by additional questionnaires and reported in a companion article (Jedel et al. Scand J Pain. 2020. PubMed PMID: 32853174). Results SSP subscales Somatic Trait Anxiety, Psychic Trait Anxiety, Stress Susceptibility and Verbal Trait Aggression differed between women with BMS and controls and the personality factor scores for Neuroticism and Aggressiveness were higher. Perceived stress measured by PSQ index was higher for women with BMS compared to controls. Women with BMS reported lower physical activity frequency compared to controls and those reporting physical activity <4 days/week scored higher on PSQ compared to those with weekly physical activity ≥4 days/week. Conclusions Personality distinguished women with BMS from controls in this study. Perceived stress was higher and weekly physical activity was lower in women with BMS compared to controls. Our findings suggest physical activity should be more comprehensively measured in future BMS studies and, by extension, physical activity may be a treatment option for women with BMS. Pain management aiming to restore function and mobility with stress reduction should be considered in clinical decision making for women with BMS who have a personality with stress susceptibility, especially if reporting high perceived stress and insufficient physical activity.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Övrig annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Other Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

burning mouth syndrome

chronic pain

emotions

personality

physical activity

stress

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)