title: Predicting chronicity in acute temporomandibular joint disorders using the research diagnostic criteria.
abstract: The authors describe a prospective study designed to examine the clinical utility of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, or RDC/TMD, in evaluating physical and psychological differences between patients with acute TMD that does not become chronic and patients with chronic TMD. A total of 153 patients with acute TMD participated in the study; the researchers deemed the condition of 87 of these patients to be chronic after a six-month follow-up period, and that of 66 patients to be nonchronic. Using a multiple logistic regression model, the authors found that a number of physical and psychological variables differed significantly between the two groups. These results highlight the importance of the physical-psychosocial interface that affects the development of chronic TMD.
authors.affiliation: Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Garofalo
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gatchel
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wesley
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology*