Polish language adaptation and validation of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index for individuals with temporomandibular disorders.

Background: Given the notable prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in the Polish population, there is a clear need for the use of simple, reliable questionnaires as screening tools to facilitate the referral of patients to TMD specialists.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to translate and adapt the Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FAI) into Polish and assess its reliability and validity in identifying TMD symptoms.

Material and methods: The Polish adaptation of the FAI (FAI-PL) was developed in accordance with the international guidelines, including the translation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Every patient received a standardized assessment, which involved history taking and clinical examination, including the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and the FAI questionnaire. The psychometric analyses included an evaluation of the questionnaire's reliability and validity, as well as an exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

Results: Of the 122 individuals enrolled in the study, 63.9% were female. The mean age of the participants was 28.1 years (standard deviation (SD): 6.3). According to the RDC/TMD standards, 40.9% of patients had no TMD, while the FAI assessment indicated that 27% of patients had no TMD. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the FAI-PL was 0.75. The exploratory factor analysis revealed 3 factors, accounting for 55.2% of the total variation. The diagnostic sensitivity of the FAI-PL was 98.6%, while the diagnostic specificity reached a level of 65.3%.

Conclusions: The Polish version of the FAI is a reliable and valid tool for the screening of TMD symptoms in the Polish-speaking population.