IADR Abstract Archives
Validity of 3Q/TMD in Relation to the DC/TMD in a Specialized Orofacial Pain Setting
Objectives: To determine the validity of three screening questions (3Q/TMD) in relation to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD), in a specialized orofacial pain clinical setting.
Methods: Consecutive patients, referred to the Orofacial Pain Clinic of the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in a 2-year period, were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were: at least 18 years of age, referred for a TMD complaint, complete intake examination, and obtained written informed consent. The study sample consisted of 449 adults (72% females), with a mean age of 44 years (SD = 14.2 years, range = 18-76 years). As a part of the intake examination, all patients answered the 3Q/TMD and the DC/TMD questionnaire before they underwent the clinical DC/TMD examination. The 3Q/TMD constitutes of two questions on weekly pain from the jaw, face and temple region in rest (Q1) and on function (Q2) and one question on weekly catching and/or locking of the jaw (Q3).
Results: In total, 44% of the patients received a pain diagnosis and 33% a functional diagnosis according to the DC/TMD criteria. The sensitivity for the two screening questions on pain in relation to a DC/TMD pain diagnosis was high (0.83-0.94), whereas the specificity was low (0.41-0.55). For the functional question, the sensitivity was low (0.48), but the specificity high (0.96).
Conclusions: The two screening questions on pain are usually positive in patients with TMD pain, although the questions tend to be positive also when TMD pain is absent. This may be related to the study population, which also includes patients with orofacial pain complaints other than TMD pain. For the functional screening question, a negative answer is related to absence of a functional DC/TMD diagnosis.
Methods: Consecutive patients, referred to the Orofacial Pain Clinic of the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in a 2-year period, were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were: at least 18 years of age, referred for a TMD complaint, complete intake examination, and obtained written informed consent. The study sample consisted of 449 adults (72% females), with a mean age of 44 years (SD = 14.2 years, range = 18-76 years). As a part of the intake examination, all patients answered the 3Q/TMD and the DC/TMD questionnaire before they underwent the clinical DC/TMD examination. The 3Q/TMD constitutes of two questions on weekly pain from the jaw, face and temple region in rest (Q1) and on function (Q2) and one question on weekly catching and/or locking of the jaw (Q3).
Results: In total, 44% of the patients received a pain diagnosis and 33% a functional diagnosis according to the DC/TMD criteria. The sensitivity for the two screening questions on pain in relation to a DC/TMD pain diagnosis was high (0.83-0.94), whereas the specificity was low (0.41-0.55). For the functional question, the sensitivity was low (0.48), but the specificity high (0.96).
Conclusions: The two screening questions on pain are usually positive in patients with TMD pain, although the questions tend to be positive also when TMD pain is absent. This may be related to the study population, which also includes patients with orofacial pain complaints other than TMD pain. For the functional screening question, a negative answer is related to absence of a functional DC/TMD diagnosis.