Psychosocial profiles and their correlation with physical diagnosis in temporomandibular disorders, a preliminary report

Objective To assess representative psychosocial features in a group of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients from Jordan using Axis II of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) protocol. Methods Ninety-eight TMD patients were examined according to Axis I DC/TMD protocol in addition to assessment of their pain-related disability, psychological distress, and stress reactivity. Results Just under half of the patients (49%) had high intensity of characteristic pain (self-reported TMJ-related pain) and one-third (32%) had high levels of pain-related disability. Furthermore, significant proportions of patients expressed moderate-severe degrees of distress and stress reactivity (41% and 39%, respectively). Significant correlations were identified between the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and each of the pain-related TMD subgroups. Conclusion TMD patients are susceptible to high levels of pain-related psychosocial impairment, and clinicians should be aware of the possible correlations between the physical TMD diagnosis and specific psychosocial features during treatment planning.