Temporomandibular and Whiplash Injury in Lithuania

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders [TMD] in whiplash victims in Lithuania versus healthy controls.

Methods: In a controlled, retrospective cohort study in Lithuania, 210 rear-end collision victims [at 14–27 months following the collision] were surveyed for TMD symptoms. Results were compared to an age-and sex-matched control group, sampled randomly from the local population register.

Results: In the accident group, 2.4% [4/165] reported jaw pain for one day or more per month compared to 3.3% [6/180] of controls. One [0.6%] accident victim and two [1.1%] controls had daily jaw pain. In both groups there was a low prevalence of jaw sounds, pain in or near the ear[s], jaw locking, tinnitus, and facial pain.

Conclusion: Lithuanian accident victims do not appear to report chronic symptoms of TMD in association with an acute whiplash injury.

KEYWORDS:

• Whiplash
• temporomandibular disorder
• accidents
• epidemiology