Comparison between the Prognosis of Temporomandibular Disorders with and without Accompanying Otologic Symptoms after Non-Invasive Non-Pharmacological Treatment: Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND Otologic symptoms are commonly reported by patients with temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the likely outcome or progression of temporomandibular disorders with and without accompanying otologic symptoms when treated in the dental clinic.

METHODS The study is registered under the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN49976724, DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN49976724. Forty patients with temporomandibular disorders were included and allocated into two groups: Control group (n=20): isolated temporomandibular disorders symptoms, and Experimental group (n=20): temporomandibular disorders symptoms with otologic symptoms (confirmed by otorhinolaryngological evaluation to exclude primary ear pathology). All participants underwent non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment. The treatment contained physiotherapy and custom-made occlusal splints. Outcomes (full/partial/no recovery) were assessed at 3 months by a single maxillofacial surgeon, with follow-up every 3 weeks. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and odds ratios.

RESULTS Fisher's exact test revealed a statistically significant association between group allocation and recovery outcomes (χ2=5.979, p=0.041). The odds ratio was 5.33.

CONCLUSION The presence of otological symptoms accompanying temporomandibular disorders might predict a better prognosis after non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment, perhaps not as a direct predictor per se but as a confounding factor.