Predictive model for temporomandibular disorder in adolescents: Decision tree.

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) do not only occur in adults but also in adolescents, with negative impacts on their development.

AIM: To propose a predictive model for TMD in adolescents using a decision tree (DT) analysis and to identify groups at high and low risk of developing TMD in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Recife on 1342 schoolchildren of both sexes aged 10-17 years. The analyses were performed using Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test, as well as the CHAID algorithm for the construction of the DT. The SPSS statistical program was used.

RESULTS

The prevalence of TMD was 33.2%. Statistically significant associations were observed between TMD and sex, depression, self-reported orofacial pain, and orofacial pain on clinical examination. The DT consisted of self-reported orofacial pain, orofacial pain on physical examination, and depression, with an overall predictive power of 73.0%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed tree has a good predictive capacity and permits to identify groups at high risk of developing TMD among adolescents, such as those with self-reported orofacial pain or orofacial pain on examination associated with depression.