Role of psychologic and social variables in TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) symptoms

The aim of this study was to measure the relative importance of a number of psychologic and social variables in explaining the severity of symptoms of functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system. 261 non-care seeking patients with respect to pain and dysfunction of the stomatognathic system were examined. The total sample consisted of two subgroups: Group 1 (n = 130) with a complete natural dentition and Group 2 (n = 131) wearing complete maxillary and mandibular dentures. Symptoms of functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system were assessed using two questionnaires. One was derived from the Anamnestic Dysfunction Index and the other was an extended questionnaire which included accessory symptoms frequently mentioned in the literature. The patients also completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, the Dutch Personality Inventory, and a Dutch form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. In both patient subgroups symptoms of functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system were significantly correlated with patient's sex and a complex of highly intercorrelated psychologic variables: psychoneurotic- and somatic symptoms, neuroticism, negativism, and somatization.