IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 8907: Coronavirus Lockdown as a Major Life Stressor: Does It Affect TMD Symptoms?

IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 8907: Coronavirus Lockdown as a Major Life Stressor: Does It Affect TMD Symptoms? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph17238907 Authors: Saccomanno Bernabei Scoppa Pirino Mastrapasqua Visco Temporomandibular disorders are multi-factorial conditions that are caused by both physical and psychological factors. It has been well established that stress triggers or worsens TMDs. This paper looks to present early research, still unfolding, on the relationship between COVID-19 as a major life stressor and TMDs. The main aims of this study were to: investigate the presence of symptoms related to TMDs and the time of onset and the worsening of painful symptoms in relation to the changes in social life imposed by the coronavirus pandemic; and to evaluate the perception of COVID-19 as a major stressful event in subjects who report worsening of painful TMD symptoms. One hundred and eighty-two subjects answered questionnaires—Axis II of the RDC/TMD, the PSS, and specific items about coronavirus as a stressful event—during the lockdown period for COVID-19 in Italy to evaluate the presence of reported symptoms of TMD and the level of depression, somatization, and stress perceived. The results showed that 40.7% of subjects complained about TMD symptoms in the past month. Regarding the time of onset, 60.8% of them reported that facial pain started in the last three months,...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research