Correlation between sleep bruxism and headaches evaluated by
polysomnography

Aline Xavier Ferraz; Carla Fabiane da Costa Zonta; Rodolfo Jorge Fortes Kubiak; Flávio Magno Gonçalves; Wagner Hummig; Jose Stechman-Neto

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.20250029-en

Original Article

Correlation between sleep bruxism and headaches evaluated by polysomnography

Correlação entre bruxismo do sono e cefaleias avaliados pela polissonografia

Aline Xavier Ferraz; Carla Fabiane da Costa Zonta; Rodolfo Jorge Fortes Kubiak; Flávio Magno Gonçalves; Wagner Hummig; Jose Stechman-Neto

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.20250029-en BrJP, vol.8, e20250029, 2025

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sleep bruxism (SB) is an abnormal repetitive activity of masticatory muscles. It occurs during sleep for short or long periods, with or without dental contact. Several studies have deemed it as a possible causative and/or aggravating factor of primary headaches. This aims to investigate a potential correlation between SB and patients complaining of primary headaches whose previous diagnosis was polysomnography (PSG) with electrodes positioned in the masseter region.

METHODS: The sample consisted of observing 76 electronic records of patients (60 females and 16 males) diagnosed with some type of primary headache. The adopted criteria were those of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3 Beta). All patients underwent PSG with electrodes on the masseters to assess the presence of SB. Data was analyzed using Chi-square and Student t tests, with a confidence interval of 95%, adopting p<0.05 as level of significance. The JASP software, version 0.17.2.1, was used for analyses.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences regarding the correlation between different types of primary headaches and the presence of sleep bruxism.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the presence of SB identified by polysomnography does not point to a significantly high incidence of primary headaches compared to individuals in whom the absence of bruxism was confirmed by the same method.

Keywords

Headache; Polysomnography; Sleep bruxism

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O bruxismo do sono (BS) é uma atividade anormal repetitiva dos músculos mastigatórios. Ocorre durante o sono por períodos curtos ou longos, com ou sem contato dental. Diversos estudos o consideram como um possível fator causador e/ou agravante de cefaleias primárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar uma possível correlação entre o BS e pacientes que se queixam de cefaleias primárias, cujo diagnóstico prévio foi feito por polissonografia (PSG) com eletrodos posicionados na região massetérica.

MÉTODOS: A amostra consistiu na observação de 76 prontuários eletrônicos de pacientes (60 mulheres e 16 homens) diagnosticados com algum tipo de cefaleia primária. Os critérios adotados foram os da Classificação Internacional de Cefaleias, 3ª edição (ICHD-3 Beta). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à PSG com eletrodos nos masseteres para avaliar a presença de BS. Os dados foram analisados utilizando os testes Qui-quadrado e t de Student, com intervalo de confiança de 95%, adotando p<0,05 como nível de significância. O software JASP, versão 0.17.2.1, foi utilizado para as análises.

RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas em relação à correlação entre os diferentes tipos de cefaleias primárias e a presença de BS.

CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem que a presença de BS identificada pela polissonografia não aponta para uma incidência significativamente alta de cefaleias primárias em comparação com indivíduos nos quais a ausência de bruxismo foi confirmada pelo mesmo método.

Palavras-chave

Bruxismo do sono; Cefaleia; Polissonografia

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Submitted date:
10/14/2024

Accepted date:
04/21/2025