Prevalence of temporomandibular disorder signs in patients with schizophrenia

P>The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) signs in a group of institutionalized patients with schizophrenia. Three hundred thirty-nine patients with schizophrenia were examined and compared with 107 age-matched and gender-matched control subjects. TMD signs were evaluated according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria to assess temporomandibular joint pain to palpation, limitation of maximum mouth opening, alteration of mouth opening pathway (deviation/deflection) and temporomandibular joint noises. In addition, tooth wear was recorded for the assessment of bruxism. The prevalence of any TMD signs was observed higher (P = 0 center dot 001) in the patients with schizophrenia (284/339, 83 center dot 7%) than in the controls (72/107, 67 center dot 3%). The prevalence of more than one TMD sign was also significantly higher (P = 0 center dot 03) in the patients with schizophrenia (131/339, 38 center dot 6%) than in the controls (29/107, 27 center dot 1%). Significant differences between the two groups were apparent for joint pain on palpation (P = 0 center dot 006), deflection (P = 0 center dot 006) and joint sounds (P = 0 center dot 002). Severe tooth wear was evident in 39 center dot 2% of the patients with schizophrenia compared with 21 center dot 2% in the control group (P = 0 center dot 001). The finding of the present study showed that, compared to control population, chronically hospitalized patients with schizophrenia seem to be more prone to the development of TMD signs and severe tooth wear and bruxism.