Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding temporomandibular joint disorder among patients

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) significantly impacts patient well-being and requires effective management strategies.
• Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of TMD patients is essential for developing targeted interventions.
• Mental health comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety, are prevalent in TMD populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) among affected patients.
• To explore the correlation between KAP and mental health indicators (depression and anxiety) in TMD patients.
• To identify factors influencing self-care practices and treatment adherence in individuals with TMD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 229 patients diagnosed with TMD at Shenzhen University General Hospital.
• Validated questionnaires were used to collect demographic data, assess KAP levels, and measure depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms.
• Statistical analyses, including correlation and structural equation modeling, were employed to examine relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants (72.9%) were female. While 47.2% reported no depression and 87.8% reported no or mild anxiety, KAP scores indicated areas for improvement.
• Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge and attitude (r=0.304, P=0.002), knowledge and practice (r=0.187, P=0.004), and attitude and practice (r=0.374, P<0.001).
• Structural equation modeling confirmed that both knowledge (β=0.269, P<0.001) and attitude (β=0.271, P<0.001) directly and significantly influenced practices.

Conclusions:

• TMD patients exhibit insufficient knowledge and suboptimal attitudes towards their condition, negatively affecting their practices.
• Enhanced patient education and interventions aimed at fostering positive attitudes are crucial for improving self-management and adherence to treatment.
• Integrating tailored educational programs and behavioral counseling into routine TMD care can enhance symptom control and overall quality of life.