Prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, oral behaviors, anxiety, and depression in Dentistry students during the period of social isolation due to COVID-19

Abstract

Prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, oral behaviors, anxiety, and depression in Dentistry students during the period of social isolation due to COVID-19 Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), anxiety, and depression are disorders that, due to the current lifestyle, are affecting an increasing portion of the population. Investigating the prevalence of the symptoms of these disorders during the quarantine due to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) is important to outline clinical strategies for patient care. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of TMD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and oral behaviors and their associations during the social isolation due to COVID-19. Methodology: Questionnaires were used to assess TMD symptoms in accordance with the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders: clinical protocol and assessment instruments, a questionnaire to verify oral behaviors and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression in students of dentistry at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Brasília in May 2020. Qualitative data were subjected to descriptive statistics and chi-squared analysis (p<0.05). The relationship between quantitative and qualitative data was evaluated using Spearman's rho correlation (p<0.05). Results: There was a high prevalence of TMD symptoms, anxiety, and depression in the participants, resulting in association between gender and anxiety symptoms (p=0.029). There was a positive correlation between oral behaviors and TMD symptoms (r=0.364; p<0.001), between oral behaviors and anxiety symptoms (r=0.312; p=0.001), and between oral behaviors and symptoms of depression (r=0.216; p=0.021). Conclusion: Social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on the prevalence of TMD symptoms, anxiety, and depression.

Medical Studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Digital Learning on Medical Students’ Burnout and Mental Health

“…In particular, social isolation which took place during lockdown may have also had a significant effect in overall mental health. The effect of social isolation on mental health is evident through numerous studies and has already raised significant concerns [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. It is argued that negative mental health impacts do not simply stop but continue following the lockdown period [ 27 ].…”

Temporomandibular Disorders: Current Concepts and Controversies in Diagnosis and Management

“…Moreover, in those with pre-existing TMD, symptoms may be exacerbated during times of stressful events. For example, recent studies have suggested that the during periods of lockdown and social isolation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an impact was found on the prevalence of depressive symptoms, stress, as well as pain related to TMD [ 28 , 29 ]. The finding that psychological variables are closely tied to the development of TMD has been confirmed by the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study, which found that TMD onset was strongly associated with somatic symptoms, while previous life events, perceived stress and negative affect were also associated with the incidence of TMD [ 30 ].…”

A relação dos sintomas de bruxismo e disfunção temporomandibular e a ansiedade ocasionada pela pandemia da COVID-19: uma revisão de literatura

“…De maneira bastante rápida, a COVID-19 se espalhou em todo o mundo causando uma síndrome respiratória aguda grave de coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). (Medeiros et al, 2020).…”

“…Vários países em todo o mundo adotaram medidas restritivas e de isolamento social como forma de controlar a disseminação do vírus e não levar o sistema de saúde ao colapso (Medeiros et al, 2020). Em decorrência disso, a pandemia conduziu a uma maior predisposição ao desenvolvimento de ansiedade, depressão, distúrbios do sono e suicídio (Sher, 2020;Huan & Zhao, 2020).…”

“…Outro estudo conduzido por Medeiros et al (2020) que também avaliou a influência da pandemia de COVID-19 e suas consequências nos sintomas de DTM concluiu que o isolamento social devido à pandemia de COVID-19 tem aumentado a prevalência de sintomas de DTM, ansiedade e depressão.…”