Age‐related differences in diagnostic categories, psychological states and oral health–related quality of life of adult temporomandibular disorder patients

Abstract

Objectives: The peak prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) may occur in middle age. This study determined the proportion of matured adults seeking TMD treatment and compared their diagnostic, psychological and oral health-related quality-of-life (OHRQoL) profiles to younger patients. Methods: Adult subjects were recruited from a tertiary TMD centre and assigned to three age groups, namely 18-44 years (young adults [YA]), 45-64 (middle-aged adults [MA]) and ≥65 (old adults [OA]). TMD diagnoses were established with the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs and categorised as pain-related (PT), intra-articular (IT) and combined (CT) TMDs. Psychological states and OHRQoL were assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Oral Health Impact Profile-TMDs (OHIP-TMDs). Demographic, DASS-21, and OHIP-TMDs data were analysed using chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation (P < .05). Results: Middle-aged (19.7%; 136/692) and old (4.0%; 28/692) adults comprised about a quarter of the TMD patients. Although gender distribution was comparable, significant differences in TMD categories were observed (P < .001). Pain-related TMDs were more prevalent in the MA/OA groups while intra-articular TMDs were more frequent in the YA group. No significant difference in DASS-21 and total OHIP scores was noted among three groups. However, the MA and OA groups had significantly lower OHRQoL in the physical pain domain. Correlations between DASS-21 and OHIP-TMDs scores varied with age and ranged from r s = 0.47-0.92. Conclusions: Matured patients constituted a quarter of TMD cohort and presented higher frequencies of painful TMDs. They have similar psychological profiles to younger patients but experienced lower OHRQoL in physical pain domain.

Oral health‐related quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint—Results of a systematic review

“…OA of the TMJ is a subgroup of TMD and included as a diagnosis within the RDC/TMD 5 . It is known that patients with TMD suffer from reduced OHRQoL 15‐18 . This is related to both physical and psychosocial factors related to the TMD.…”

“…Considering the OHRQoL as a sub‐aspect of general health‐related quality of life addresses the necessity of a paradigm shift from a medical into a complex biopsychosocial model of oral health and diseases 13,14 . Generally, the OHRQoL of patients with TMD has been repeatedly studied in different clinical studies 15–18 . These studies revealed an impairment of OHRQoL of patients with TMD, especially related to disease specific as well as general parameters like (mal‐)occlusion, sleep or psychological conditions 15–18 .…”

“… 13 , 14 Generally, the OHRQoL of patients with TMD has been repeatedly studied in different clinical studies. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 These studies revealed an impairment of OHRQoL of patients with TMD, especially related to disease specific as well as general parameters like (mal‐)occlusion, sleep or psychological conditions. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 However, there is still a lack of knowledge; a systematic review concluded that especially explicit TMD subtypes would require further research.…”

“… 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 These studies revealed an impairment of OHRQoL of patients with TMD, especially related to disease specific as well as general parameters like (mal‐)occlusion, sleep or psychological conditions. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 However, there is still a lack of knowledge; a systematic review concluded that especially explicit TMD subtypes would require further research. 17 Thereby, OA as a specific diagnosis within the complex of TMD might be of particular relevance due to the respective complaints of patients suffering from OA of the TMJ.…”

College Students with Oral Habits Exhibit Worse Psychological Status and Temporomandibular-Related Quality of Life: A Correlational Study

“…The total OHIP-TMDs scores are the sum of the 22 questions. Higher total OHIP-TMDs scores indicate worse temporomandibular-related quality of life [ 22 ].…”