Objectives
The purpose of this study was to assess prevalence of tinnitus within a TMD population and to determine an association between the presence of tinnitus and type of TMD diagnoses.
Methods
This cross sectional study used raw data, history Questionnaire for self-reported tinnitus, Medical history Questionnaire, Supplemental History Questionnaire, Gold standard Diagnoses from ‘Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Validation Project. Log linear analysis was performed using Statistical Analysis System.
Results
At baseline, 614 participants met required criteria for a TMD diagnosis. Prevalence of tinnitus within sample was 41% (253 of 614). 94% (238/253) of participants with tinnitus also had a MPD diagnosis. Among participants without MPD diagnosis, the rate of tinnitus was 12% (15/119). Using log linear regression analysis, risk ratio for tinnitus by number extra oral sites painful to palpation by TMD diagnosis for MPD, DD and DJD groups was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.10; p=0.28), 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.46; p = .0086) and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.43; p = .033) respectively when adjusted for age, gender, study site and somatization. 207 participants received a TMD diagnosis and reported headaches. The adjusted risk for tinnitus among these participants was RR=6.20 (95% CI: 0.96, 39.7; p = .054) while those with a TMD diagnosis and no headaches were about a 154 participants with a relative risk of 3.17 (95%CI: 1.18, 8.46; p= .022). Thus the risk of tinnitus with a TMD diagnosis is higher if participant also has a headache than without a headache.
Conclusions
These findings suggest higher rate of tinnitus among subjects with myofascial pain than other forms of TMD. Patients with myofascial pain who also report temporal headaches are more likely to experience tinnitus than those with myofascial pain alone the presence of TMD in those reporting tinnitus merits further investigation.
Article info
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Published by Elsevier Inc.
