Relationship between anxiety, quality of life, and sociodemographic characteristics and temporomandibular disorder.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anxiety, quality of life (QL), and sociodemographic aspects and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and to assess the predisposition to TMDs in patients with low QL and anxiety.

STUDY

DESIGN

In total, 120 patients (60 TMD/60 non-TMD) were screened to assess QL (World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version [WHOQOL]); anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory[STAI-S and -T]; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]); and TMD (Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders-RDC/TMD). Pearson's χ2 test, the Student t test, odds ratio (OR) analysis, and nonconditional logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Among patients with TMD, 60% were women (P = .002), 65.1% were single (P = .009), and 71.4% were employed (P = .008). Most of the anxious individuals had TMD, according to HADS, 75% (P < .001); STAI-S, 55.6% (P = .035); STAI-T, 54.9% (P = .011); and BAI, 63.9% (P = .002). WHOQOL showed higher QL for non-TMD participants (P < .001). Sociodemographic data showed an association with TMD: gender (OR = 3.5), professional status (OR = 3.3), and marital status (OR = 2.8). WHOQOL presented higher association strength (OR = 9.2), followed by HADS (OR = 5.0).

CONCLUSIONS

A relationship exists between sociodemographic aspects, anxiety, and QL and TMD. Patients with TMD have higher anxiety levels and lower QL, and this can interfere with treatment, reinforcing the need for therapies that consider the various factors of the disorder.