Journal of oral rehabilitation
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The aim of the present investigation is to test the null hypothesis that the presence of psychopathology in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is related to the presence of pain, independent of its location [(i.e. myofascial and/or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain]. Ninety-six (n = 96) patients affected by painful TMD underwent a clinical assessment in accordance with the research diagnostic criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) guidelines and filled out the Symptoms Check List - Revised (SCL-90-R) instrument to investigate the presence of symptoms of psychopathology. ⋯ The existence of a close association between pain and psychosocial disorders in TMD patients was supported by the present study. The null hypothesis is that no differences exist between patients with different painful TMD cannot be fully accepted for the presence of psychosocial disorders because of the trend evidencing higher SCL-90-R scores for myofascial pain patients, alone or combined with TMJ pain, with respect to TMJ pain alone.