Investigating The Prevalence of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders And Their Association With Oral Health–Related Quality of Life In Gujarat

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of musculoskeletal conditions that frequently affect the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joints and often result in pain, dysfunction, and decreased quality of life.Objective: To assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among dental patients in Middle Gujarat and to evaluate the impact of TMD on their oral health-related quality of life.Methodology: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted among 1000 dental patients aged 18–50 years. The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) were utilized to diagnose TMD, while the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire was administered to assess oral health-related quality of life. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were employed to analyze the association between various factors and OHIP-14 scores.Result: A total of 1,000 participants were included in the analysis. The largest proportion belonged to the 18–30-year age group (41.2%) Females constituted 56.2% of the study population, while males accounted for 43.8%. The overall prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was 34%. Approximately 64% of the 1,000 participants exhibited TMD symptoms .Participants with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) demonstrated significantly higher OHIP-14 scores for functional limitation, physical pain, and social disability (p < 0.05), indicating a greater negative impact on oral health-related quality of life. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the domains of psychological discomfort, physical disability, or psychological disability within the TMD population.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a higher prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among females and younger adults, particularly those aged 18–35 years. TMD symptoms were significantly associated with poorer oral health-related quality of life, as assessed using the DC/TMD questionnaire and OHIP-14. Individuals with TMD reported greater functional limitations, increased pain, and reduced social functioning compared with those without TMD. These findings indicate that TMD adversely affects both physical and psychosocial well-being, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive management to improve patients' overall quality of life.