Marco Monticone

Pain is a complex experience that encompasses both physical and emotional dimensions. Stomatognathic Pain (SP) affects the anatomical and functional structures of the stomatognathic system, which is involved in essential activities such as mastication, deglutition, and phonation. Consequently, SP can significantly impair patients’ quality of life, affecting physiological, psychological, and social well-being. Precision Medicine (PM) is an emerging patient-centered approach that enables healthcare providers to tailor diagnostic and therapeutic strategies according to each patient’s biochemical, physiological, environmental, and behavioral profile. The aim of this narrative review is to highlight PM tools for the diagnosis and treatment of SP and to explore their contribution to personalized management. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Scopus databases using the keywords “orofacial pain”, “stomatognathic pain”, “precision medicine”, “pain management”, “pain assessment”, “pain treatment”, and “patient-centered care”. Current evidence suggests that PM can improve SP management by identifying pathogenic mechanisms, clarifying disease etiology, and integrating advanced molecular and digital technologies. Emerging approaches, including genetic profiling, biomarker analysis, artificial intelligence–based diagnostics, targeted therapies, individualized rehabilitation, and behavioral interventions, may support personalized treatment and facilitate the development of patient-centered care models, ultimately reducing the burden of SP and improving clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Background and Objectives: To assess the reliability and construct validity of the Functional Rating Index (FRI) in Italian-speaking individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP), in order to improve assessment and clinical management in this population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study consecutively enrolled 75 individuals with CLBP (52 females; mean age 48.71 ± 19.18 years; mean pain duration 298.64 ± 427.52 weeks). Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated using Cronbach’s α and the intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC_2,1], respectively, while measurement error was estimated through the minimum detectable change (MDC). Construct validity was examined by testing a priori hypotheses through correlations (Pearson’s r) between the FRI and disability measures (Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMQ; Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), pain intensity (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS), and quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36). Results: Cronbach’s α was 0.88, and test–retest reliability showed an ICC_2,1 of 0.86 (95%CI: 0.82–0.93). The MDC was 18.05, corresponding to approximately 20% of the total score. The Italian FRI demonstrated strong correlations with the RMQ (r = 0.70) and ODI (r = 0.77), and a moderate correlation with the NRS (r = 0.60). The physical and social domains of the SF-36 showed stronger negative correlations with the FRI than the mental and emotional domains. Conclusions: The Italian version of the FRI is a reliable and valid instrument for individuals with CLBP and is recommended for both clinical practice and research applications.