Functional impairment in TMJ patient and nonpatient groups according to a disability index and symptom profile.

Abstract

AbstractSymptom prevalence figures tend to exaggerate the problem of TMJ disorders. An index based on disability was constructed as an improved measure, consolidating symptom intensity, frequency, and functional impairment.Thereby 80% of TMJ patients were experiencing significant disability. This figure reaffirms the need for better recognition in treatment support for these patients.According to the index, 8% to 10% of a nonpatient group had equivalent severity, but this was weighted by the frequency of TMJ clicking, while accompanying pain and interference were infrequent. TMJ clicking without pain or symptom progression is probably not a strong indication of need for treatment.Sixty-five percent of the patients, compared to only 5% in the control population, reported specific disturbance of jaw function. Women in both groups reported significantly more severe symptoms.Importantly, all indices suffer from not being diagnosis-specific. The benefits of an alternative symptom profile are proposed and discu...