Prevalence of Tinnitus, History of Whiplash, and Their Possible Association in TMD Patients

Objectives: Although, it is well documented that prevelance of tinnitus is higher in TMD patients compared to controls , the link between this two remained unclear. Considering interrelationships between tinnitus, whiplash and TMD, a question ‘’Does whiplash history have a role on higher prevelance of tinnitus in patients with temporomandibular disorders ’’ have been arised.
To determine the prevalence of tinnitus and whiplash history in TMD patients, (2) to investigate the potential association between whiplash and tinnitus in TMD patients.
Methods: The present study was a retrospective study of a consecutive series of 290 patients who sought treatment at the orofacial pain unit at a private dental clinic from october 2015 through September 2017. Of included patients, 117 was diagnozed with TMD.Tinnitus and whiplash history of patients were compared in TMD and non-TMD groups. Relationship between tinnitus and whiplash history was also investigated. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s Exact test, chi-square test and Yates's continuity correction
Results: Tinnitus and whiplash history were reported by 43,9%, and 37,8% ,respectively, of the subjects with internal derangement; by 45,6%, and 36,8% of the patients with myofascial pain and dysfunction. However, the incidence of tinnitus (%12,1) and whiplash history (%24,2),was found to be lower for the control group.
The risk of having tinnitus is 2.8 times higher for patients with TMD with whiplash history than for patients TMD without whiplash history. (OR:2.814, %95 CI:1.280-6.187).
Conclusions: This study showed that there is an association between tinnitus and whiplash history in TMD patients.