Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding temporomandibular joint disorder among patients

Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of patients diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Conducted at Shenzhen University General Hospital from October to November 2024, the cross-sectional analysis utilized questionnaires to assess demographic data, KAP scores, and mental health indicators, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). A total of 229 valid responses were analyzed, revealing that 72.9% of participants were female. Notably, 47.2% reported no depression, while 87.8% indicated no or mild anxiety. Mean KAP scores were as follows: knowledge 8.59 ± 5.77, attitude 38.46 ± 12.28, and practice 40.37 ± 7.85, with significant positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.304, P = 0.002), knowledge and practice (r = 0.187, P = 0.004), and attitude and practice (r = 0.374, P < 0.001). Structural equation modeling demonstrated that both knowledge and attitude had significant direct effects on practice (β = 0.269, P < 0.001; β = 0.271, P < 0.001, respectively). The findings suggest that TMD patients have inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes, underscoring the need for enhanced education and positive attitude promotion to improve self-care and treatment outcomes. Clinically, tailored patient education programs and behavioral counselling should be integrated into routine TMD management to improve adherence, symptom control, and quality of life.