Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder and its association with stress and anxiety among university students

Iago Gomes Mota,Ana Paula Varela Brown Martins,Janice Sympson De Paula,Larissa Aparecida Benincá Ton

doi:10.14295/bds.2020.v23i1.1810

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and the association with stress and anxiety among university students. Material and Methods: The Fonseca Anamnestic Index, Trait-State Anxiety Inventory (IDATE) and LIPP Stress Symptom Inventory (LIPP) were applied for 714 voluntaries. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyzes were performed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test and the Student's t-test or ANOVA, significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of TMD was 68.63%, 46.9% had mild TMD. There was a statistically significant difference between the means of age and the severity of the TMD, higher mean values for severe TMD (22.5 ± 3.3 years). There was a statistically significant association between the female and TMD, higher prevalence of mild TMD. Among the volunteers diagnosed with TMD, a significant number were diagnosed without stress, but there was a statistically significant association between those diagnosed with stress and mild TMD, anxiety and TMD, (state: moderate anxiety and DTM - 50%; trait: moderate and severe anxiety and mild DTM - 49.3% and 49.87%, respectively). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms, with higher prevalence in the female gender, mild TMD was more significant, and anxiety and stress were significantly present among university students with TMD signs and symptoms.KeywordsTemporomandibular disorder; Anxiety; Psychological stress.

Highlights

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is identified as the major cause of pain, of nondental origin, in the orofacial region [1] and is the second cause of seeking treatment, only behind dental pain [1]
Among those diagnosed with TMD, there was a greater prevalence of mild TMD in 335 (46.92%), followed by moderate TMD in 123 (17.23%), and severe TMD in only 32 students (4.48%) (Table 3)
According to the data obtained, it may be concluded that there is a high prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms among university students

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is identified as the major cause of pain, of nondental origin, in the orofacial region [1] and is the second cause of seeking treatment, only behind dental pain [1]. Even with all the diversity, the studies converge on the female gender as the prevalent distribution, especially in the age range of 18 to 45 years [5,6,7] Psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety and depression may contribute to the progression and exacerbation of painful TMD symptomatology [8]. According to Stallman [10], the student population lives under more stress than the general population and, develops considerably more TMD and parafunctional oral habits Even having this information, new epidemiological studies need to be conducted because of the diversity of results and regional differences [7]. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of TMD and its association with anxiety and stress, among university students in different academic programs and terms, due to its peculiar distribution in the age group and capacity to negatively affect quality of life

MATERIAL AND METHODS

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION