Relationship between type A behavior patterns and risk of temporomandibulardisorder in Japanese undergraduate students / Journal of Rural Medicine

ABSTRACT

<p><b>Objective:</b> Several studies have demonstrated the relationship betweentemporomandibular disorder (TMD) and emotional stress. Nonetheless, few surveys haveexamined the relationship between type A behavior patterns and TMD. The aim of this studywas to clarify the relationships among TMD, type A behavior patterns, bruxism, andemotional stress in Japanese undergraduate students.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> This study was undertaken in Nayoro City, Japan, in 2015, amongstudents of Nayoro City University. The survey was conducted through an anonymous,self-administered, multiple-choice questionnaire. Information was gathered on itemsevaluating the extent of TMD symptoms, bruxism, type A behavior patterns, and pronenessand sensitivity to emotional stress.</p><p><b>Results:</b> The questionnaire recovery rate was 31.8% (175/551). There was ahigh likelihood of TMD in 16.1% of respondents, which is comparable to the findings ofprevious surveys on Japanese high school students. In keeping with previous studies, weconfirmed significant relationships between TMD and both emotional stress and bruxism. Aweak but statistically significant association was found between TMD and type A behaviorpatterns.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> We propose that TMD may be one of the diseases related to thetype A behavior pattern.</p>