Evaluation of clinical symptoms and disease severity in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders using the fonseca anamnestic index: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association of age and gender with temporomandibular joint disorders, and to determine the most common symptoms using the Fonseca Anemnestic Index.

Method: The cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkiye, from June to October 2024, and copmprised patients aged 18-65 years who presented with symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders. Demographic and clinical data was collected along with severity of the patients’condition, and assessments were made using the Fonseca questionnaire and the Fonseca Anamnestic Index. Data was analysed using SPSS 25.

Results: Of the 201 patients with mean age 37.7±11.4 years, 141(70.1%) were female and 60(29.9%) were male. Overall, 190(94.5%) patients were found to have temporomandibular joint disorders. The mean Fonseca Anamnestic Index total score was 63.2±18.8 for females and 54.5±23.7 for males. The most common symptom identified was clicking sounds in the temporomandibular joint during chewing or mouth opening 139(69.1%). Age and gender had no significant association with Fonseca score (p>0.05). However, a significant association was found between gender and total Fonseca Anamnestic Index score (p=0.035).

Conclusion: The Fonseca questionnaire was found to be a practical, quick and economical tool for temporomandibular joint disorder diagnosis.

Key Words: Temporomandibular joint disorders, Clinical symptoms, Fonseca Anamnestic Index, Epidemiology.