The Influence of Degrees of Severity of Temporomandibular Dysfunction on Report of Vestibular Symptoms – A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Due to the anatomical proximity and functional connection, vestibular symptoms (VS) are common in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, it is not known whether the degree of severity of TMD affect the report of associated vestibular symptoms.

Objective

To evaluate associations of demographic, clinical and functional factors, as well as report of VS, with the severity of TMD.

Method

Cross-sectional study carried out at a higher education institution in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. After approval by the Ethics Committee of Hospital Santo Antônio (CAAE 81517317.2.0000.0047), the collection team applied the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the Fonseca Anamnestic Questionnaire (QAF) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders axis II questions (RDC/TMD) in employees, teachers and students. Statistical tests of association with the Chi-square, t test for independent samples and ANOVA (alpha 5% and 80% power) were performed.

Results

The sample of 623 participants identified 333 (63.7%) people with TMD and 418 (79.9%) with VS. Females were associated with both temporomandibular dysfunction and vestibular symptoms. The degree of severity of the TMD showed a strong correlation with VS (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In the studied sample, it was observed that the greater the degree of severity of the TMD, the greater the VS, which confirms the need to evaluate both systems in symptomatic patients for each of the clinical conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Vestibulopathies
• temporomandibular disorders
• prevalence
• dizziness

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

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