title: FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS OF THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTS AS A FACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR SLEEP APNOEA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional disorders of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in the contemporary population are considered by World Health Organization to be the third most frequent dental disease after caries and periodontitis. It is thought to affect 84% of the adult population. In patients aged 65 years and older these disorders become more severe and may affect up to 100% of this age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 150 patients aged 35-70 years (mean age 46.5 years). All patients were diagnosed in 2006-2010 at the Department of Dental Prosthetics of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin due to suspected more or less advanced functional disorders of the stomatognathic system, particularly TMJ. The severity of the disorders was identified using the Helkimo index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional disorders of the TMJ and mild sleep apnoea were diagnosed in 112 patients. Findings from the study indicated that the severity of sleep apnoea was positively correlated with the duration and severity of TMD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients did not link the symptoms of sleep apnoea with dysfunctions of the stomatognathic system.
authors.forename: Halina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ey-Chmielewska
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Teul
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: LorkowskI
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy