PREVALENCE OF OTOLARYNGOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Aim:To investigate the prevalence of otolaryngological symptoms with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) in TMD patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the sample consisted of 172 TMD patients, both males and females of 18-59 years. Diagnosis of TMD was based on Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC-TMD) Axis 1. The prevalence of otolaryngological symptoms was determined using questionnaire. Results: Of the 172 TMD patients evaluated, 81 patients were having Muscular disorder alone or combined with Intracapsular disorder. Out of the 81 patients having muscular disorder, 74 had ear symptoms (91.4%). Conclusion: A high prevalence (91.4%) of Otolaryngological symptoms with TMD was found in the present study. Ruling out causes of ear symptoms other than TMD by an ENT specialist is essential before proceeding with the treatment of these category of patients for a better prognosis.