[The relationship between symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders and the patients' quality of life].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the relationship between symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and the patients' quality of life (QOL).


METHODS
A total of 492 TMD patients were included in this study. The clinical examination results were recorded using Fricton index of temporomandibular joint function. "Visual analog scale (VAS) evaluation of QOL disturbance" was designed to quantitate patients' QOL, to evaluate the degree that the patients QOL was affected.


RESULTS
Chewing, daily life and emotion among all 8 items of QOL were frequently affected by TMD, and joint clicking had the least influence on QOL. Intermittent closed lock had more severe interference with QOL than joint clicking only. Severe and moderate pain or limited mouth opening affected the QOL more severely than mild pain or mild limited mouth opening. The simple linear relationship between Fricton index and patients' QOL was poor (r < 0.4).


CONCLUSIONS
Pain is the most frequently seen symptom in TMD. TMD could affect patients' QOL, including both physical and social-psychological functions. The results suggest that the patients' QOL as well as TMD symptoms and signs should be considered in the management of TMD.
Chen
Hui-min
HM
Fu
Kai-yuan
KY
Zhang
Zhen-kang
ZK
D000328:Adult; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications