Análise clínica e funcional de pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular crônica.

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a musculoskeletal condition that affects the masticatory muscles, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and the associated tissues, impacting approximately 31% of the global population and representing a significant public health concern. Its etiology is multifactorial, involving biological, psychological, and social factors, which contributes to the complexity of managing this condition. Objective: To compare pain intensity as well as the levels of orofacial and cervical disability among different subtypes of TMD. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of individuals of both sexes, aged between 18 and 59 years, diagnosed with chronic TMD based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Data were collected using a standardized evaluation form developed by the authors, along with assessment of pain intensity using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS); mandibular disability through the Orofacial Pain and Disability Inventory (OPDI); and cervical disability using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Results: A total of 47 participants were evaluated, with a median age of 32 years, and 85.1% were female. Regarding the TMD subtypes, 10.6% of participants were classified with myalgia, 12.8% with arthralgia, 68.1% with mixed TMD, and 8.5% with headache attributed to TMD. The median pain intensity in the last week was 4.0, with no statistically significant differences among groups (p = 0.105). In the analysis of the OPDI domains, no significant differences were observed among the groups (p = 0.093); however, the mixed group (MTMD) showed higher scores in the pain domain (10.0; IQR: 3.2–12.5) and in the functional and psychosocial domain (10.05; IQR: 8.0–17.7). Regarding the NDI outcomes, most participants were classified as having minimal to moderate disability, with no significant differences among the groups. Conclusion: The findings indicated a higher prevalence of females and predominance of the mixed TMD subtype, with a tendency toward greater disability in this group. No statistically significant differences were found among TMD subtypes in terms of pain intensity, orofacial disability, cervical disability, or pain duration. Therefore, future studies with larger sample sizes and more homogeneous distribution among TMD subtypes are recommended. In this study, it was concluded that the different chronic TMD subtypes presented similar clinical and functional characteristics within the analyzed sample.