Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of students from the National University of Singapore. The number of self-reported symptoms of TMD was obtained using a screening questionnaire for TMD from the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. Psychological factors were assessed using the 21-question Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Chi-square test, logistical regression, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's Exact test were done to test for associations between self-reported TMD symptoms and self-reported psychological symptoms. Bonferroni correction was applied in adjusting for multiple comparisons. 95% confidence interval was used for all tests.
Results: 63.9% of participants had at least one self-reported symptom of TMD. Moderately depressed subjects were more likely to have at least one symptom of TMD than normal participants (OR=0.88). Corresponding odds ratios for subjects with moderate, severe and extremely severe anxiety were 1.94, 3.76 and 3.43 respectively, and odds ratios for mild, moderate and severe stress were 1.85, 3.29 and 2.98 respectively.
Conclusion: Self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress are associated with having at least one self-reported TMD symptom.