Analyzing the relationship between primary complaint, diagnosis, and treatment in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders

Aim: This study aimed to assess patients’ with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) the complaints and diagnoses of patients diagnosed according to Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) criteria and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. Material and Methods: The clinical examinations of the patients with complaints of TMD were performed according to the internationally accepted Turkish version of the DC/TMD guideline. Patients’ complaints, symptoms, VAS scores and diagnosis were recorded. Patients were classified into three groups: Group A, Patients with pain-related TMD; Group B, Patients with intra-articular TMD; and Group A-B, Patients with both pain-related TMDs and intra-articular TMD. Patients received various treatments according to their examination and diagnosis. In the follow-up sessions after treatment, patients’ remaining complaints and VAS scores were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed to analyze relationship of the primary complaint, diagnose and the treatment effectiveness. Results: The study included 127 patients (105 women and 22 men, mean age 34.5±11.2). 55 patients were in Group A, 14 patients in Group B, and 56 patients in Group A-B. 2 patients were classified as 'undefined'. A statistically significant result (p = 0.001) was found when comparing complaints with diagnostic groups. Pain complaints were more frequent in group A, while complaints of TMJ sounds were less common in group A compared to other groups. In the relationship between treatment and diagnostic group, a statistically significant difference was found (p