LAUSR

BACKGROUND The social habit of chewing qat (also known as khat) is widely practiced in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It has been linked with various orofacial conditions, including temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). OBJECTIVES This cross-sectional, comparative study sought to investigate the effects of qat chewing on temporomandibular joint (TMJ), using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). METHODS A total of 85 Yemeni males were included. The participants were divided into two groups: Qat chewers (QC; n= 41); and non-qat chewers (NQC; n= 44). Relevant data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and standardized clinical examination. Additionally, CBCT images of the TMJs were obtained, and then osteoarthritic changes and TMJ dimensions were analyzed. SPSS 21 was used for statistical analyses, with a significant level was set at 0.05. RESULTS Compared to NQC, a significantly higher proportion of QC presented with clinical signs of TMDs. The qualitative CBCT findings revealed significantly higher osteoarthritic changes in QC than in NQC: osteophyte (51.2% vs. 22.7%; P = 0.008), subcortical sclerosis (48.8% vs. 27.3%; P = 0.047), articular surface flattening (46.3% vs. 6.8%; P = 0.009), and subcortical cysts (43.9% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.001). However, CBCT quantitative findings (condylar dimensions) did not show significant differences between the two groups. The chewing side of the QC group showed slightly more changes compared to the non-chewing side. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that qat chewing has detrimental effects on TMJ manifested mainly as osteoarthritic changes. Further large-scale studies are recommended.