The consequences of orofacial pain symptoms: a population-based study in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impacts associated with orofacial pain symptoms among adult Chinese people in Hong Kong. Associations between impacts, pain characteristics and professional treatment seeking behaviour were explored.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted using a telephone survey method. A sample of Cantonese-speaking Chinese people aged 18 years and over living in Hong Kong was interviewed. The questionnaire incorporated questions on recent orofacial pain experience and characteristics. Respondents with orofacial pain symptoms were asked about the consequences of the pain on various aspects of daily life and whether they had sought treatment for the pain.

RESULTS

Of the 1222 survey respondents, 41.6% reported some form of orofacial pain. 79.3% of those who reported orofacial pain and about one-third of the total sample had experienced at least one impact. The most common impact was worried about oral and dental health (59.8%) followed by avoided certain food (50.4%). Respondents with toothache were found to be more likely to have experienced all the impacts investigated (OR range: 2.048-3.309). People who had stayed in bed more than usual (OR = 2.342), experienced sleep disturbance (OR = 2.149), and worried about their oral and dental health (OR = 2.851) were more likely to seek professional treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The adverse impact of orofacial pain on the well-being of the adult population of Hong Kong was substantial. Despite this, treatment seeking was low with a high level of untreated orofacial pain symptoms.