title: Study of temporomandibular joint disorder in older patients by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare characteristics in older patients in a sample of the general population of those with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was carried out between 2001 and 2008 in patients with TMJD. The whole sample consisted of 141 patients divided in two groups: 31 patients aged over 60 (median age 67.9, ranging from 60 to 82) and the remaining 110 patients (median age 36.3, ranging from 12 to 59) who were seeking treatment. Clinical diagnostics was confirmed by MRI. Pain intensity was rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS 0-10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistical difference between average pain in older patients (6.2) and patients aged up to 59 (5.7) evaluated by VAS. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002) in pain duration: older patients reported shorter duration of experienced pain (7.8 months) than patients aged up to 59 (12.2 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, it was found that 22% were older patients with TMJD. A higher level of anxiety was shown in both patients' groups, regardless of shorter pain experience in the older patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. badel@sfzg.hr
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Badel
authors.forename: Sonja Kraljević
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Simunković
authors.forename: Miljenko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marotti
authors.forename: Sandra Kocijan
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lovko
authors.forename: Josipa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002012:Bruxism / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012179:Retirement; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D057085:Tooth Wear / Q000175:diagnosis; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult