Association between temporomandibular signs and symptoms and depression in undergraduate students: descriptive study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a chronic condition that affects a large part of the college population, deserving greater importance in public health due to the negative consequences in students’ performance and in the quality of life of these individuals. The objective of this study is to check the association and correlation of temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms and signs with depression in students from the School of Science and Technology of Maranhão. METHODS: Epidemiological, descriptive and cross-sectional study with the quantitative approach with 199 undergraduate students. For data collection, we used Fonseca’s Anamnestic Index and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, Axis II. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test, Fisher’s Exact test, and Spearman’s Correlation, considering a statistical significance of 5%. RESULTS: 37.7% students showed signs and symptoms of mild temporomandibular dysfunction, 19.6% moderate and 9% severe. Temporomandibular dysfunction was more frequent in female students (70.2%) between the ages of 19 to 24 years (70.2%). When assessing the level of depression symptoms, it was found that 25.1% students had moderate depression and 17.1% severe. There was no statistically significant association (p<0.001) and weak positive correlation (r=0.38; p<0.001) between the presence of temporomandibular dysfunction signs and symptoms and depression. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that there is a relationship between temporomandibular dysfunction and depression in undergraduate students, with higher prevalence in women, however, more specific diagnostic methods are necessary to confirm this relationship and the need for treatment. Association between temporomandibular signs and symptoms and depression in undergraduate students: descriptive study