Introduction/Objective. Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is followed by oro-facial (OF) pain and psychological problems which influence patients? quality of life and working ability. Hypothesis: Working ability is affected by psychosocial status changes following temporomandibular dysfunction. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impairment of working ability in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction. Methods. Forty-four patients with TMD were admitted to the Clinic for Prosthodontics, School of Dental medicine, University of Belgrade. Patients were treated with medication therapy ibuprofen, or ibuprofen and diazepam or with stabilizing maxillary occlusal splint. Clinical and functional assessment were based on diagnostic protocol Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. The study protocol was composed of data on clinical signs, pain scale numerical and VAS, and working ability related questionnaire (Symptoms Check List, SCL-90R). The statistical software package SPSS for Windows (18.0) was used for data processing. Univariate regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of each factor individually, multivariate regression analysis was used to ex-amine the factors of difference. Results. Statistically significant difference was not recorded in working ability, social life and daily activities in patients regardless of the chosen therapeutic approach. There is statistically significant difference in work ability between respondents in relation to psychosocial status p = 0.002*. Univariate regression analysis showed significant values assessing work ability, social life, and daily activities (0.010*, 0.001*, 0.029*) respectfully. In multivariant regression analysis assessment of social life was significant p=0.028*. Conclusion. Working ability is influenced by temporomandibular dysfunction proportionally to the level of psychosocial status.
Djordjevic et al. (Thu,) studied this question.