EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL, PHYSICAL, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Purpose: Individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), especially Group I, have a reduced quality of life (QoL). This study examines the relationship between the individual, physical, and psychosocial characteristics of individuals with Group I TMD and their QoL. Methods: The study was conducted with 73 participants aged 18-65 years and diagnosed with Group I TMD. Their individual (age, gender, education level, duration of TMD-related complaints), physical [joint sounds, pressure pain threshold (PPT), jaw muscle strength, temporomandibular joint range of motion (ROM), cervical ROM, pain intensity], and psychosocial characteristics (mental status) and QoL were evaluated. Pain intensity, mental status, and QoL were assessed using a numerical pain scale, the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and Short Form-36, respectively. Results: Education level showed the greatest association with QoL among individual characteristics (r=0.243-0.336; p<0.05). PPT was weakly associated with some QoL parameters (r=0.238-0.278; p<0.05). The right excursion muscle strength was associated with many parameters of QoL (r=0.236-0.403; p<0.05). Only the maximum overbite ROM was related to general health (r=0.244; p<0.05). Pain intensity was the most associated with all parameters of QoL (r=-0.302 – -0.556; p<0.01). A correlation was revealed between the GHQ-28 and emotional well-being (r=-0.231; p<0.01) and energy/vitality (r=-0.364; p<0.05). Conclusion: To improve the QoL of individuals with TMD, biopsychosocial factors related to QoL should be taken into account during rehabilitation. Modifying pain-related beliefs and behaviors, along with pain and stress management interventions, would be beneficial in addition to physical modalities and exercise approaches.