Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association among painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD), self reported tinnitus, and levels of depression. Method: The sample consisted of 224 individuals with ages ranges from 18 to 76 years. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I were used to classify TMD and Axis II were used for self reported tinnitus, and to score the levels of depression. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied. Results: The presence of painful TMD without tinnitus was significantly associated with moderate/severe levels of depression (OR=9.3, 95%; CI: 3.44-25.11). The concomitant presence of painful TMD and tinnitus self-report increased the magnitude of the association with moderate/severe levels of depression (OR=16.3, 95%; CI, 6.58-40.51). Conclusion: Painful temporomandibular disorders, high levels of depression, and self reported tinnitus are deeply associated. However, this association does not imply a causal relationship.Keywords: depression, facial pain, tinnitus.
REsumoObjetivo: Investigar a associação entre disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) dolorosa, auto-relato de zumbido e níveis de depressão. Método: A amostra foi composta por 224 indivíduos com idades de 18 a 76 anos. O Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, eixo I, foi usado para classificar a DTM e o eixo II para obtenção do auto-relato de zumbido e dos níveis de depressão. Para a análise dos dados, foi aplicado o teste odds ratio (OR) com intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. Resultado: Somente a presença de DTM dolorosa estava significativamente associada aos níveis de depressão moderado/severo (OR=9,3, 95%; IC: 3,44-25,11). A presença concomitante de DTM dolorosa e auto-relato de zumbido aumentaram a magnitude da associação com os níveis de depressão moderado/severo (OR=16,3; 95% IC: 6,58-40,51). Conclusão: Disfunção temporomandibular dolorosa, altos níveis de depressão e auto-relato de zumbido estão fortemente associados. Entretanto, o desenho do estudo não permite estabelecer uma relação causal entre essas três entidades.Palavras-chave: depressão, dor facial, zumbido.Tinnitus is defined as a phantom sensation because sound is perceived in the absence of a physical sound source 1 . It is clinically heterogeneous, reflecting multiple etiologies, and its complexity is related to its biological and psychological components 2 . Studies have observed tinnitus complaints more often in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) than in those without TMD [3][4] , and tinnitus patients had more TMD signs and symptoms
5. Furthermore, signs of TMD may be a risk factor for the development of tinnitus Temporomandibular disorders refer to a group of conditions characterized by signs and symptoms, including pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and/or masticatory muscles, and/or TMJ sounds, and deviations or restriction in mandibular range of motion 7 . The first hypothesis for the association between tinnitus and TMD was descri...