Exploratory survey for contributing factors observed in generations in the investigation with multi-dimensional questionnaire for patients with painful TMD

Abstract

The number of visiting patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) forms a peak at 20-30 years old, and gradually decreases afterward.
To consider the factors that influence this tendency, we investigated the numbers of patients in four age groups of teens, 20-30, 40-50 and 60 or more years old, and compared these groups in terms of symptoms, disorders, psychological and behavioral contributing factors as recorded in a multi-dimensional survey of patients with painful TMD carried out during one year from September 2003.
As a result, there were 40 cases of teens, 290 cases of 20-30 years, 129 cases of 40-50 years and 75 cases of 60 or more years old, respectively. In comparison between the groups, there was no significant difference for symptoms and disorders, except for the total VAS scores on pain expression terms, the score of restricted mouth opening at getting up. On the other hand, there were significant differences for the neuroticism score on personality trait and several behavioral factors between the groups.
In teens, several behavioral factors in life were outstanding. Work-related factors increased in 20-30s. Thereafter, factors gradually decreased with aging.
It was suggested that these contributing factors in generations might influence the numerical trend of visiting patients with TMD.