The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. I: overview and methodology for assessment of validity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Validation Project was to assess the diagnostic validity of this examination protocol. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the project's methodology, descriptive statistics, and data for the study participant sample. This article also details the development of reliable methods to establish the reference standards for assessing criterion validity of the Axis I RDC/TMD diagnoses.


METHODS
The Axis I reference standards were based on the consensus of two criterion examiners independently performing a comprehensive history, clinical examination, and evaluation of imaging. Intersite reliability was assessed annually for criterion examiners and radiologists. Criterion examination reliability was also assessed within study sites.


RESULTS
Study participant demographics were comparable to those of participants in previous studies using the RDC/TMD. Diagnostic agreement of the criterion examiners with each other and with the consensus-based reference standards was excellent with all kappas > or = 0.81, except for osteoarthrosis (moderate agreement, k = 0.53). Intrasite criterion examiner agreement with reference standards was excellent (k > or = 0.95). Intersite reliability of the radiologists for detecting computed tomography-disclosed osteoarthrosis and magnetic resonance imaging-disclosed disc displacement was good to excellent (k = 0.71 and 0.84, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The Validation Project study population was appropriate for assessing the reliability and validity of the RDC/TMD Axis I and II. The reference standards used to assess the validity of Axis I TMD were based on reliable and clinically credible methods.
Schiffman
Eric L
EL
Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. schif001@umn.edu
Truelove
Edmond L
EL
Ohrbach
Richard
R
Anderson
Gary C
GC
John
Mike T
MT
List
Thomas
T
Look
John O
JO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032921:Consensus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic; D055815:Young Adult