Temporomandibular disorder, marital status and education level in Rijeka,Croatia

Objectives: To determine the incidence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) by Helkimo's anamnestic (Ai) and clinical (Di) dysfunction indexes and the influence of gender, marital status and education level in the sample of adult patients living in Rijeka, Croatia. Methods: Study was conducted on 408 patients of 18-84 years of age. Patients were divided into two groups according gender and into four groups according education level: I elementary, II high school, III university and IV university students. The data was translated into Helkimo indexes and shown as frequencies. Results: The incidence of TMDi symptoms with AiO index was 67% in men and 54% in women, 73% men and 58% women had DiO index and no clinical signs. According education level AiO index in women was: I 86%, II 53%, III 62% and IV 50%. Men with AiO index were present: II 63%, III 86%, IV 73%. With DiO index and no clinical signs were% in women I 71%, II 53%, III 59%, IV 75, and in men II 70%, III 71% and IV 91%. There were no male patients in the group I. According marital status on TMD showed the distribution of AiO index frequencies in 75% not married and 63% married man. The not married women with Ail were 52% and married 59%. The frequencies for DiO index were 86% for not married and 63% for married men and 67% for not married and 51 % for married women. Conclusions: The incidence of TMD signs and symptoms in women is higher then in men in the analyzed sample. Depending on education level, students show the highest incidence of symptoms, female students in particular. When marital status was analyzed there was a lower incidence of TMD symptoms and DiO in married patients, and married men in particular.