Prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a sample of medical students in Erbil city

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to find the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder by Helkimo anamnesis and clinical dysfunction index and to determine the degree of associations present between temporomandibular disorder and each of age, gender and anxiety.Methods: 230 students were randomly selected with the age group of 18-25 years, from all colleges of Hawler medical university, from March 2019 to June 2019. Data was collected through Helkimo anamnesis dysfunction index1, Helkimo clinical dysfunction index1and generalized anxiety disorder 7-item scale2. The data were statistically analyzed by Descriptive statistics and chi square test.Results: The most encountered symptoms reported by the students were joint sounds (27.4%) and joint fatigue (27.4%). (50%) of the students had some grade of temporomandibular disorder according to Helkimo anamnesis questionnaire (subjective temporomandibular disorder symptoms) and (57.4%) had some grade of temporomandibular disorder According to Helkimo clinical dysfunction index (objective temporomandibular disorder symptoms). The associations between temporomandibular disorder and each of age (P-value= 0.900), Gender (P -value= 0.221), and anxiety (P-value= 0.288) were statistically not significant by using Helkimo anamnesis questionnaire. Significant association was found between temporomandibular disorder and each of gender (P-value <0.001) and anxiety (P-value <0.001) by using Helkimo clinical dysfunction index.Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder was high. The most common symptom reported by students were joint sounds and joint fatigue. According to Helkimo clinical dysfunction index temporomandibular disorder was more prevalent among females and those who had a degree of anxiety.