Orofacial evaluation in patients with multiple sclerosis using Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate whether patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have more orofacial dysfunctions than the general population, using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S). Materials and methods: The NOT-S instrument was applied in 34 patients with MS, who went to the MS Reference Center, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos and 34 healthy patients, matched for gender and age. NOT-S results were compared between patients with MS and control subjects. Disability and disease duration were assessed among the patients, in order to establish whether these parameters might affect the results from NOT-S. Results: There was no significant difference in orofacial function between patients with MS and control subjects. There was no statistically significant correlation between disability and NOT-S or between disease duration and NOT-S. However, the correlation between disease duration and the degree of disability was statistically significant, thus suggesting that the results are in accordance with what would be expected regarding MS. Conclusions: These results indicate that there was no correlation between orofacial dysfunction and MS, although there were some differences in the affected domains. Clinical relevance: This study points out the orofacial dysfunctions which health professionals should be aware in this population.