Investigating the effect of depression on clinical symptoms of temporomandibular disorder in young stressful men.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of the depression level with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in young conscripts as a population with chronic stresses.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total number of 144 male conscripts with chronic stress and different levels of depression were assigned to four groups according to the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). The control group consisted of age-matched male conscripts without chronic stress. The diagnosis of TMD was made according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests.

RESULTS

The participants with severe depression were significantly more susceptible to have TMD (p = .001) followed by the moderate depression, borderline clinical depression, mild mood disturbance, and control groups. The TMD diagnoses were more prevalent within depression groups compared with the control population (p = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of depression is directly associated with the presence of TMD in young men with chronic stress.