Anxiety and bruxist behaviour in the patients with temporomandibular joint disorder

Abstract

The level of anxiety depending on existing bruxist behaviour between temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) patients and asymptomatic volunteers was compared. TMJD in 40 patients (mean age 35.5, 76% women) was diagnosed using RDC/TMD Axis I and was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The control group consisted of 25 asymptomatic volunteers (mean age 23.4, 72% women). Bruxism was diagnosed based on case history and clinical findings. The anxiety was confirmed by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A higher level of anxiety was determined for all examined patients (the mean score in STAI 1=38.43, STAI 2=46.10). There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) with respect to the control group (STAI 1=34.25, STAI 2=39.00). Including only patients with determined anxiety depending on age and gender resulted in 62.5% of patients with anxiety according to the STAI 1=42.84, and 72.5% of patients with anxiety according to the STAI 2=44.20. Only 16% subjects from the control group and 40% patients had bruxism. There was a statistically significant difference in scores of both STAI tests in patients with bruxist behaviour (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences between patients with lower (1-4) and higher (5-10) degree of pain were rated on a visual-analogue scale for State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 2 (p=0.012). This study has confirmed the connection between anxiety and bruxism as one of the central etiological factors. However, patients with TMJD experience a higher level of anxiety. Patients with estimated VAS pain score ≥ 5 show significantly more anxiety on STAI 2 subscale.