Personality characteristics of temporomandibular disorder patients using M.M.P.I.

It is generally recognized that psychological factors play an important role in chronic orofacial pain patients. This study analysed psychological profiles of chronic pain patients affected with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), by means of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test. Fifty consecutive TMD patients were examined and were then divided into two subgroups: 1. myofascial pain and 2. temporomandibular joint articular disorders. Sixty-two percent of the whole sample presented pathological MMPI scores. Both subgroups presented similar profiles with alteration of the neurotic triad (hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria), and pathological values of hypochondriasis and hysteria ("V" configuration). Since the personality profile did not differ between the two subgroups investigated, it was not dependent on the dysfunctional origin of the pathology (myalgia or primary TMJ pathology). Chronic TMD patients presented personality characteristics similar to those of other chronic pain patients according to the MMPI.