Statistical analysis of the frequency distribution of signs and symptoms of patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Abstract

The purpose of this text is to evaluate the distribution by sex and age of TMD patients and the frequency of pain on palpation of the lateral pterygoid muscle, pterygoid internal, sternocleidomastoid, masseter, temporal. The purpose is also to assess the existence of direct correlations between the articulating click and lateral deviation, the headache and tenderness of the temporal, the back pain and tenderness of the sternocleidomastoid, the postural disorders and difficulty finding the exact mating closing, the disorders related to previous dental procedures (large conservative reconstructions, rehabilitations fixed dentures and dental extractions) and tenderness to the temporal and masseter. 623 medical records, including 451 males and 175 females were randomly selected. It was statistically calculated the F/M ratio, age distribution and frequency of muscle tenderness to palpation through the relationship of positive feedback on the total sample multiplied by one hundred. The correlation between various disorders was calculated by estimating the Mantel-Haenszel common odds ratio. For each result it has been finally calculated the asymptotic level of significance.