Retrospective review of patients referred to a temporomandibular dysfunction care setting of a Brazilian public university

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe the restrospective analysis of medical records of patients with temporomandibular disorder in a healthcare service of a Brazilian public university. The prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder, associated factors, diagnosis and observations related to the treatment were recorded. METHODS: Two hundred and thirteen medical records were assessed by one single surveyor from March 2013 to December 2014. Information about sociodemographic factors, prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorder and treatment need were collected (Fonseca Anamnestic Index), clinical examination, diagnosis, treatments and referral to other professionals. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female (81.7%), single (53.0%), students (23.3%) between 20 and 29 years of age (26.8%). Pain was reported by 50.4% of patients. According to FAI, 41.8% of patients were classified with severe synptoms of temporomandibular disorder and 73.2% identified with the need of treatment. Presence of temporomandibular disorder symptoms (p = 0.001) and need of treatment (p <0.001) were significantly associated to the female gender. The most prevalent diagnosis was muscle temporomandibular disorder (41.5%) and the most affected muscle was the masseter (21.3%). The most common treatments were occlusal splint (27.6%) and counseling (22.6%). CONCLUSION: The greater demand for temporomandibular disorder treatment came from young patients, single, female, complaining from pain. The prevalence of temporomandibular disorder symptoms was high, muscular disorders was the most prevalent findings and most of the treatments were reversible and conservative. The frequency of referral to other specialties related to temporomandibular disorder was low.

Keywords

• Temporomandibular disorder
• Orofacial pain
• Epidemiology