Is there a comorbid relationship between temporomandibular disorders and otologic signs/symptoms?: An umbrella review

ABSTRACT

Objective

This umbrella review (UR) explored the possible associations between temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and otologic signs/symptoms (OSs) and established the potential impact of TMD interventions on OSs.

Methods

A systematic review of systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and Joanna Briggs Institute UR protocol. Electronic search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Open Grey databases was conducted and the quality of the identified studies was assessed using the AMSTAR2 criteria.

Results

Out of 923 and 157 articles screened for the first and second focus questions respectively, a total of 8 SRs/MAs fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of OSs in TMD patients and contrariwise varied substantially up to 85.0-95.0%. Available evidence indicates that TMDs are associated with OSs, and TMD treatment reduced OSs.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that a comorbid relationship between TMDs and OSs exists, and therapeutic TMD interventions improve OSs.

KEYWORDS:

• Temporomandibular joint disorders
• ear symptoms
• therapy
• review

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare in connection with this article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.