ABSTRACT
To evaluate the influence of stress and anxiety on the severity of pain in Temporomandibular joint Dysfunction and on the subjective pain report. The study was carried out in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, between the period of May 2010 to November 2010. One hundred and ten students reportingfrom universities and colleges with TMJpain were clinically diagnosed as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and were interviewed using specially designed proforma. To measure the level of pain, Visual Analog Scale was used. Variables like gender, age, geography and various stress factors were determined and analysed using statistical tools [SPSS V. 17]. Students in the age group of 26-30years were commonly affected [30%] followed by age group of 16-20 years [22.73%]. Most commonly affected students [68.18%] were those with moderate to very severe pain symptoms. Students belonged to Malakand Division [28.67%] and FATA. [25.67%] were commonly in the low income [n-42, 38.18%] and middle income [n-36, 32.73%] categories. Post Graduate students [40%] showed increased pain intensity during eating [35.45%] and talking [29.1'0%], particularly in their busy academic days, were reported to be the victims of severe painful episodes. A large proportion of students with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction have potential psychological problems. Female gender, advanced educational levels and hostel residence as well as poor socioeconomic status are predisposing factors for pain severity in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction