Tinnitus and temporomandibular disorders: the knowledge of professionals for primary health care in the city of Curitiba.

INTRODUCTION: The high prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and tinnitus along with the negative effects on the quality of life of affected individuals makes this association a matter of public health. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of primary health care professionals about the interrelationship between temporomandibular disorders and tinnitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire for a group of 54 dental surgeons. The statistical analysis used involved descriptive analyses through absolute and relative frequency distributions. RESULTS: The results showed that the professionals do not, as a routine, examine the temporomandibular joints and masticatory muscles during physical examination. In addition, there was a low percentage of correct answers on questions that assess knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to inform dentists about the interrelationship between temporomandibular disorders and tinnitus. Furthermore, there is a need to encourage managers to establish teaching and learning tools that support and strengthen the role of dentists in primary health care. In this way, routine visits might minimize these disorders, and thus contribute to the quality of life of the population.

The impact of tinnitus on the quality of life in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: The most common otological symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are ear fullness, tinnitus and ear pain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of tinnitus on the quality of life for patients with TMD. METHOD: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional retrospective study. The sample consisted of 19 individuals with TMD, 17 (89.47%) females and 2 (10.53%) male, mean age 53.5 years. Data collection consisted of: anamnesis, pure tone audiometry, acuphenometry and application of the Portuguese version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (Brazilian THI). RESULTS: 63.12% had had tinnitus for less than five years, and 15.79% had tinnitus that sounded like whistling, rain and/or a cricket. There was a predominance of laterality in the right ear (42.11%). 52.63% of the subjects reported that their tinnitus is continuous, while 31.58% stated that it lasts for days, and 47.37% report that it is common. The audiometry revealed mean audiometric thresholds above 25 dB HL in the high frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz) bilaterally. In acuphenometry, the average loudness of the tinnitus was 21 dB SL the right ear and 17.85 dB SL in the left ear, and the average tinnitus pitch was 3775 Hz in the right ear and 3750 Hz in the left ear. The total THI score was 37.8 points. It appears that there is significant correlation between the THI scale, time of tinnitus duration and its occurrence. CONCLUSION: Tinnitus reported in patients with TMD caused moderate impact on quality of life and can be seen in the presence of background noise although daily activities can still be performed.

A queixa principal de pacientes portadores de distúrbios craniomandibulares e bruxismo: um estudo comparativo / The main complaint of patients carriers of craniomandibular disturbs and bruxism: a comparative study

Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que os pacientes portadores de DCM e Bruxismo podem ser caracterizados como indivíduos que apresentam uma forte tendência ao uso de analgésicos, antiinflamatórios, miorrelaxantes, antidepressivos e placas de mordida antes da consulta inicial para diagnóstico e tratamento mais racional. A maioria destes pacientes, acredita que os sinais e sintomas podem ser eliminados com o uso de medicação. Estes pacientes têm uma idéia vaga sobre seus distúrbios e sobre os profissionais que devem ser consultados para obter-se um diagnóstico e plano de tratamento. Os pacientes portadores de DCM e Bruxismo e DCM sem Bruxismo, apresentaram dor como queixa principal, o que confirma achados prévios na literatura sobre o assunto. Os pacientes com DCM e Bruxismo consultaram mais profissionais da saúde e utilizaram mais formas de tratamento quando comparados com o grupo DCM e sem Bruxismo. A presença do bruxismo nos pacientes portadores de DCM é um fator relevante e pode ser definido como um distúrbio que contribui para o início dos sinais e sintomas e/ou para a perpetuação dos mesmos.