Painful temporomandibular disorders, self reported tinnitus, and depression are highly associated.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association among painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD), self reported tinnitus, and levels of depression.

METHOD: The sample consisted of 224 individuals with ages ranges from 18 to 76 years. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I were used to classify TMD and Axis II were used for self reported tinnitus, and to score the levels of depression. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied.

RESULTS: The presence of painful TMD without tinnitus was significantly associated with moderate/severe levels of depression (OR=9.3, 95%; CI: 3.44-25.11). The concomitant presence of painful TMD and tinnitus self-report increased the magnitude of the association with moderate/severe levels of depression (OR=16.3, 95%; CI, 6.58-40.51).

CONCLUSION: Painful temporomandibular disorders, high levels of depression, and self reported tinnitus are deeply associated. However, this association does not imply a causal relationship.