Are individuals with orofacial pain more prone to psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Background. It is of utmost importance to identify and treat groups susceptible to psychological problems during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objectives. This study aimed to compare the psychological status between the general population and subjects with orofacial pain (OFP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. A total of 509 young adults were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the convenient sampling approach. They were assigned to 2 study groups: group 1 - individuals with OFP; and group 2 - the general population. Their background variables, knowledge, perception, attitude, concerns, and Kessler scale scores were recorded through an online questionnaire. Student's t test, the chi(2) test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the statistical analysis. Results. Some of the background variables were significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). The knowledge, perception and attitude scores of the respondents were not significantly different between the study groups (p > 0.05). Females exhibited significantly higher adjusted Kessler scores as compared to males (p < 0.05). Group 1 exhibited the highest adjusted Kessler scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Individuals with OFP exhibited higher psychological distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety during the rapid rise of the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a moderate psychological disorder. Females suffered more from psychological distress as compared to males. Therefore, psychological interventions should be focused on this group.