Anxiety Influence on the development of temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

Introduction: the temporomandibular disorders constitute an important health problem in Cuba. Today, it´s well known that the psychosocial factors play an important role in it, especially, with regard to pain adaptation and recovery. Objective: identification of the relationship between temporomandibular disorders and different levels of anxiety in patients belonging to the Family Medical Clinic No. 10 located at the Northern Area of the Sancti Spíritus province, Cuba, during the period January 2019 to January 2020. Methods: an analytical observational study of case-control type was carried out. The population was comprised of 109 patients. The sample consisted of 80 patients distributed in 40 cases and 40 controls. The variables studied were at following: age, sex, temporomandibular disorders, signs and symptoms, anxiety. Temporomandibular disorders were diagnosed through the Helkimo Index and anxiety through the application of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The Chi-squared statistical association test was applied. Results: female patients were predominant (55%) and 51.25% were in the age range of 40-59 years. The most frequent signs and symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders were pain in the temporomandibular joints and in muscles of mastication for 85 % and 80 %, respectively. Most of the cases (52.5 %) presented high levels of anxiety. Conclusions: the different levels of anxiety predisposed to the origin and maintenance of temporomandibular disorders in all the patients studied.

Keywords

• trastorno temporomandibular
• ansiedad
• articulación temporomandibular
• estrés