Age and sex differences in comorbidities in adult temporomandibular disorders: A cross-sectional study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and associated comorbidities in groups matched according to age and sex.

Methods: Using data from the cross-sectional fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Of the 25,534 eligible KNHANES, 17,762 adults aged ≥19 years who responded to survey questionnaire on TMD and comorbidities. Subjects were classified into eight groups according to age and sex. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between TMD and comorbidities according to age and sex.

Results: Of the enrolled participants, 2,107 (11.86%) complained of ≥1 TMD symptoms. In all groups, odds ratios (ORs) for prevalence of TMD were >1 in those with tinnitus. Rhinitis was closely associated with TMD in 6 groups. ORs for TMD with comorbidities according to age and sex were as follows: hypertension, men aged 50-64 years (OR 0.62; CI 0.41-0.94); ischemic heart disease, men aged 35-49 years (4.38; 1.54-12.47); osteoarthritis, women aged 50-64 years (1.38; 1.03-1.86); diabetes mellitus, men aged 35-49 years (0.21; 0.05-0.88); depression, men aged 50-64 years (1.68; 1.00-2.83), women aged 35-49 years (1.39; 1.05-1.85) and women aged 65-80 years (2.01; 1.46-2.77); migraine, men aged 50-64 years (1.60; 1.14-2.25), women aged d35-49 years (1.44; 1.14-1.81) and women aged 35-49 years (1.43; 1.07-1.90); cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet, men aged 19-34 years (1.64; 1.05-2.58), men aged 35-49 years (1.68; 1.04-2.70), men aged 65-80 years (1.74; 1.09-2.75) and women aged 35-49 years (1.45; 1.15-1.84); olfaction disorder, men aged 50-64 years (2.49; 1.39-4.43); voice disorder, men aged 50-64 years (2.25; 1.28-3.96) and women aged 65-80 years (1.69; 1.09-2.63).

Conclusions: This study confirmed that the types and effects of comorbidities related to prevalence of TMD may differ according to the patient's age and sex and this result will increase the predictability of the onset of TMD.

Fig 1. Participant’s flowchart.

Fig 2. ORs for prevalence of TMD associated with medical comorbidities.

This model was adjusted for town, education, occupation, marital status, smoking, stress, fatigue and health status in estimation of ORs and 95% C.I. The y-axis variables in (A)-(D) are chronic diseases, and those in (E), (F) are otolaryngological symptoms. The ORs for (A), (C) and (E) were obtained in men groups, and those for (B), (D) and (F) were obtained in women groups.