Aural Symptoms in Subgroups of TMD/Bruxers: A Clinical Multiple Cross-sectional Study

Objective: A cross sectional study of a group of 230 TMD/bruxers which was contrasted to 40 controls to observe the relationship to the presence of ear symptoms. Methods: TMD patient records were evaluated to define specific TMD and internal joint derangement (IJD) in subgroups presenting capsulitis, retrodiskal pain, disk-attachment pain and osteo-arthritis. The mean age of the TMD group was about 34.07 years (Range 15-70, SD: 11.33) and controls about 30.85 years (Range 16-66, SD: 12.78). Results: With few exceptions, it was observed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in all groups utilizing significant pairwise comparisons, where frequencies of ear disorders were more prevalent in TMD patients. Ear disorders were significantly more frequent in the TMD subgroup with unilateral joint pain complaint than in the TMD subgroup without pain. Most ear disorders increased in frequency with the severity of IJD. Ear pain and tinnitus increased in frequency from capsulitis to retrodiskal and disk-attachment pain group, but decreased in frequency in osteo-arthritis (OA) group. Conclusions: Except for small fluctuations in frequencies, the percentage of ear stuffiness, hearing impairement and dizziness increased from capsulitis to OA group. The results of this study provide strong support to the association between TMD, IJD and ear disorders, and that there is an association between the severity of arthropathy and the presence of ear disorders.