PREVALENCE OF DIAGNOSED TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS IN CENTRAL KERALITE POPULATION- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of TMD in Central Keralite population. Materials and Methods: A representative population-based sample of 368 people was randomly selected of which 152 were men and 216 were females. A cross sectional study was conducted in both males and females aged 18-65 years. TMD prevalence was assessed by self- reported questionnaire. The diagnosis of TMD was based on Research Diagnosis Criteria for TMD (RDC-TMD) Axis1. Results: Of the total sample size selected, 51.35% had TMD. Of this, 53.2% of the females and 48.6% of the males were diagnosed to have TMD. TMD patients were categorised according to RDC TMD Criteria. In Category I (Myofascial pain dysfunction) - 47%, Category II (Internal derangement) - 51% and in Category III (Inflammatory Joint Disorder) - 2% Conclusion: The present study indicates that more than half of the general population in Central Kerala is affected by TMD. Proper awareness of this disorder and possible treatment options should be well informed to the general population.