BAYMA, Paulo de Tarso de Carvalho et al. Temporomandibular disorders in otolaryngology patients. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) []. 2010, 58, 3, pp. 313-317. ISSN 1981-8637.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in individuals who visit the otolaryngology service of the Federal University of Maranhão hospital. METHODS: A total of 303 patients of the otolaryngology service of the abovementioned university hospital located in São Luiz were assessed over three months. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire was used to collect and interpret data and to verify temporomandibular disorders. RESULTS: The results of the data collected from 303 individuals and the respective interpretation were: 61.7% (187 individuals) were in need of an otolaryngological assessment or treatment. Of these, 67.7% were females. Only 9.9% of the individuals did not present symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. Other results show that 48.51% of the individuals had headaches, 52.14% had neck and shoulder pain, 50.49% had pain in the ear area and 46.20% had joint noise. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders was 61.72% and significantly higher among females (p=0.006). Temporomandibular disorders were absent in 9.9%; mild in 28.4%; moderate in 36.6% and severe in 25.1% of the sample.

: temporomandibular joint; facial pain; epidemiology; prevalence.