Objective: To assess representative psychosocial features in a group of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients from Jordan using Axis II of the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) protocol.
Methods: Ninety-eight TMD patients were examined according to Axis I DC/TMD protocol in addition to assessment of their pain-related disability, psychological distress, and stress reactivity.
Results: Just under half of the patients (49%) had high intensity of characteristic pain (self-reported TMJ-related pain) and one-third (32%) had high levels of pain-related disability. Furthermore, significant proportions of patients expressed moderate-severe degrees of distress and stress reactivity (41% and 39%, respectively). Significant correlations were identified between the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and each of the pain-related TMD subgroups.
Conclusion: TMD patients are susceptible to high levels of pain-related psychosocial impairment, and clinicians should be aware of the possible correlations between the physical TMD diagnosis and specific psychosocial features during treatment planning.
Keywords: Temporomandibular disorders; diagnostic criteria; pain-related disability; physical diagnosis; psychosocial.