Prevalence of self-reported symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and associated factors in the period of distance learning

Abstract

Objective: Assess the prevalence of self-reported TMD symptoms and anxiety and check the quality of sleep and life during the distance learning period in university students at the University of Brasilia (UnB).

Materials and methods: The participants were students from the Health Sciences College and Medicine College at UnB. Self-administered questionnaires were used to evaluate symptoms of TMD, quality of life, and sleep quality. One-way analysis of variance, followed by Bonferroni test, and Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test, were performed (P < 0.05). For qualitative data analysis, the chi-square test was applied (P < 0.05).

Results: Total 156 students were included; prevalence of TMD, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and poor sleep quality was 73.1%, 84%, 12.8%, and 62.8%, respectively. A greater prevalence of painful TMD was observed in students with severe anxiety (P = 0.007). Students with symptoms of painful TMD, severe anxiety, and sleep disorders had statistically worse quality of life.

Conclusions: The implementation of distance learning in health courses to replace classroom teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted TMD prevalence, anxiety, quality of life, and sleep quality.

Clinical relevance: Psychological factors are directly associated with TMD symptoms and quality of life, TMD conditions are related to quality of life as well. COVID-19 pandemic and the distance learning in health courses are new situations that can lead to a great impact on mental health and in consequence to TMD conditions and quality of life.

Keywords: Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; COVID-19; Myalgia; Temporomandibular disorders.