A comparative clinical study of temporomandibular disorder patients in the otolaryngology clinic versus a rheumatology clinic.

Objective Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) may be associated with local or widespread symptoms, including pain. The aim of this study was to compare clinical features of TMD patients presenting to an otolaryngology clinic with TMD patients presenting to a rheumatology clinic. Methods The study included 107 patients in the otolaryngology setting and 103 patients in the rheumatology setting. A comparison between both groups was made regarding the clinical data. Results Patients in the otolaryngology setting featured more otological symptoms, compared with those in the rheumatology setting. Otological symptoms were affirmed in 70 patients (65.4%) in the otolaryngology setting but in only 18 patients (17.5%) in the rheumatology setting (p = 0.001). Patients in the rheumatology setting showed more structural TMJ changes, compared with those in the otolaryngology setting (p < 0.01). Conclusion Patients presenting to the otolaryngologist may clinically and pathologically represent a different cohort from those presenting to the rheumatologist.