EVALUATION OF A NEW ANAMNESIC INDEX FOR TEMPOROMANIDBULAR DYSFUNCTION DIAGNOSTIC
temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome; pain; diagnosis; surveys and questionnaires
Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) consists of a complex condition, which has a multifactorial etiology and presents varied symptoms, in addition to a certain difficulty in its diagnosis. Objective: The study aims to compare the diagnoses of a new anamnesic instrument for TMD, based on a clinical protocol, and to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity. Methods: The present study consists of the evaluation of a new anamnesic diagnostic instrument, consisting of 12 items about TMD signs and symptoms, based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC / TMD) - considered standard-gold for TMD diagnosis. The study sample consisted of 50 individuals waiting for care in the TMD and Orofacial Pain sector of the Department of Dentistry at UFRN, Natal - RN. The instruments used were applied by a single examiner previously trained. The data were organized and analyzed by the SPSS program, using the Chi-square and Kappa for sensitivity and specificity, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: The analyzed data demonstrated that the new diagnostic tool for TMD obtained a good agreement with the DC / TMD and sensitivity, but little specific.