Prevalence of dizziness in patients with temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are characterised by pain and dysfunction in the temporomandibular joints and surrounding muscles. Dizziness is a frequent symptom reported by TMD patients, but the prevalence of dizziness in this population remains unclear.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify relevant studies assessing the prevalence of dizziness in TMD patients. Seven electronic databases were searched using a combination of Boolean operators and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords to maximise sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between TMDs and dizziness in descriptive studies (pooled odds ratio (OR): 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20-0.88) but found a non-significant association in analytical studies (pooled OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.19-1.59). Heterogeneity was low in analytical studies (0%), while descriptive studies showed higher heterogeneity (96%). The studies included in the review generally reported a significant prevalence of vertigo and other aural symptoms in TMD patients. Some investigations highlighted the value of sociodemographic characteristics and the statistical association between TMD and vestibular symptoms. Furthermore, dizziness was quantitatively attributed to TMDs in some studies, while others reported a correlation between TMDs and otolaryngological symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The current review demonstrated that TMDs are associated with increased dizziness and vestibular symptoms, particularly in descriptive research. A causal relationship could not be established due to the heterogeneity and observational nature of the studies included. These findings emphasise the need for careful interpretation and recommend prospective studies to clarify the relationship. When diagnosing and treating TMD patients, clinicians should consider these symptoms together.

THE PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD420251026371.