Prevalencia de signos y síntomas de trastornos témporomandibulares en una población joven al inicio del tratamiento por drogodependencia

Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is a collective term that includes several clinical problems affecting the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joints and other related structures. Consumption of licit and illicit drugs may be an etiological agent of TMD which should be considered when diagnosing a patient and developing a treatment plan. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of TMD signs and symptoms in a drug-dependent population at the beginning of their admission, and to analyze possible associated factors. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Inclusion criteria: a) age range: from 15 to 35; b) beginning of treatment for problematic drug use; exclusion criteria: a) non-lucid patients: b) non-collaborative patients. We studied a sample of 135 subjects admitted to Portal Amarillo, Uruguay, under a residential system. The patients were examined by a calibrated researcher. The Uruguayan Survey Sheet for Prevalence of Bruxism and TMD was used. Informed consent was requested from each participant and/or their legal representative. The prevalence of subjects with one or more current TMD signs was 29.7% (19.3% showing one sign, 8.9% two, and 1.5% three); those with one or more current TMD symptoms accounted for 68.8% (45.9% with one, 14.8% with two, and 8.1% with three) of the patients. The prevalence of current TMD symptoms showed a significant association with self-perceived stress (p=.03), mate consumption (p=.03) and alcohol consumption (p=.03). Conclusions: The prevalence of current TMD symptoms in the population under treatment for drug dependence is high compared to the general population. This should be taken into account when developing prevention and therapeutic strategies.