Predictive model for temporomandibular disorder in adolescents: Decision tree

Jorge Pontual Waked; Camilla Siqueira de Aguiar; João Marcílio Coelho Neto Lins Aroucha; Gustavo Pina Godoy; Ricardo Eugenio Varela Ayres de Melo; Arnaldo Caldas Jr

doi:10.1111/ipd.13137

Predictive model for temporomandibular disorder in adolescents: Decision tree

Int J Paediatr Dent. 2023 Nov 27. doi: 10.1111/ipd.13137. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jorge Pontual Waked¹, Camilla Siqueira de Aguiar², João Marcílio Coelho Neto Lins Aroucha³, Gustavo Pina Godoy⁴, Ricardo Eugenio Varela Ayres de Melo², Arnaldo Caldas Jr⁴

Affiliations

¹ Academic Unit of Biological Sciences, Center for Rural Health and Technology, Federal University of Campina Grande, Patos, Brazil.
² Department of Prosthesis and Oral Surgery, Health Science Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
³ Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry, Health Science Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
⁴ Post-Graduation Programme of Dentistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.

PMID: 38013209
DOI: 10.1111/ipd.13137

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) do not only occur in adults but also in adolescents, with negative impacts on their development.

Aim: To propose a predictive model for TMD in adolescents using a decision tree (DT) analysis and to identify groups at high and low risk of developing TMD in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil.

Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Recife on 1342 schoolchildren of both sexes aged 10-17 years. The analyses were performed using Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test, as well as the CHAID algorithm for the construction of the DT. The SPSS statistical program was used.

Results: The prevalence of TMD was 33.2%. Statistically significant associations were observed between TMD and sex, depression, self-reported orofacial pain, and orofacial pain on clinical examination. The DT consisted of self-reported orofacial pain, orofacial pain on physical examination, and depression, with an overall predictive power of 73.0%.

Conclusion: The proposed tree has a good predictive capacity and permits to identify groups at high risk of developing TMD among adolescents, such as those with self-reported orofacial pain or orofacial pain on examination associated with depression.

Keywords: adolescent; decision support techniques; decision trees; forecasting; temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome.