Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Incidence and Prevalence of Orofacial Pain- Global Burden of Diseases

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of orofacial pain (OFP) from 1980 to 2020, ages 0 to 100, using the Global Burden of Disease protocol, which could then be used to derive global estimates and global OFP burden. Since there is no consensus case definition for OFP, we derived a working definition based on biologic plausibility along with current classifications and study definitions. After reviewing 1962 articles, 38 studies on prevalence and 1 on incidence of OFP met inclusion criteria. The recall periods ranged from pain at the present moment, to one month up to 24 months. We identified a total of 18 case definitions for OFP derived from these 39 studies. We further classified the OFP prevalence and incidence studies according to sub-categories of OFP along with their different recall periods. The mean prevalence of OFP was 32.2%, ranging from 15.1 % to 74.9 %; the incidence rate of OFP was 2.1% per year. We identified 12 subcategories of orofacial pain, and the average number of these subcategories was seven. Adjustment factors for recall period were also calculated, allowing for more accurate estimates of prevalence. OFP is shown to be common within the community.