Association between oral health-related quality of life and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder among older adults: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the association between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-reported symptoms of TMD. METHODS: Representative samples of older adults (≥60 years) were included (n = 569). Both TMD symptoms and OHRQoL were assessed by Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), respectively. Prevalence (those answering "frequently" or "always" in at least one question), severity (total means scores), and extent (number of questions answered as "frequently" or "always") of OHRQoL were estimated. RESULTS: Overall, 33.4% and 9.5% had mild or moderate/severe TMD symptoms. Those with any symptom of TMD had a prevalence ratio (PR) 38% higher for the worst OHRQoL (95% confidence interval [95%CI]1.04-1.82) compared to those without TMD symptoms. Worst OHRQoL were observed for those with mild (PR1.35; 95%CI1.01-1.81) and moderate/severe TMD (PR1.53; 95%CI1.04-2.26). Similar results were detected in the severity and extent of OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: Severity TMD was associated with worse ORHQoL.