Analysis of background variables in 350 patients with TMJ disorders as reported in self administered questionnaire.

All 350 patients referred to the Department of Stomatognathic Physiology during a 4-month period were given a self-administered questionnaire intended to give a review of the patients' history. The questions concerning general somatic and psychic health, education and social conditions are dealt with in this article. Twenty-five percent of the patients, more women than men, considered their general state of health to be impaired or poor. Seventy-two percent of the patients denied having had nervous or psychic disorders while 9% were currently being treated for such symptoms. Patients who had answered with alternatives indicating a "poor social situation" had, for instance, more pain in the face and jaws, poorer general health, more nervous or psychic disorders and more symptoms of TMJ disorders than the other patients. When the influence of education was considered, the patients with low education reported more severe symptoms of TMJ disorders than those with higher education. The general level of somatic and psychic health of the patients in this study did not differ markedly from that of the general population, but a negative influence on the health of the masticatory system of poor social conditions and low educational level could be demonstrated.