CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OUTCOME OF DIAGNOSTIC SUBGROUPS OF CMD PATIENTS - RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The records of 193 randomly chosen patients with CMD referred 2.5 yr p reviously were examined retrospectively for anamnestic, clinical and r adiological findings and observations related to treatment. These data were supplemented with information from questionnaires sent to all tr eated patients in which their opinion on the treatment outcome was ask ed. Within the patient group, four diagnostic subgroups were distingui shed. Three subgroups consisted of patients with the diagnoses CMD wit h a mainly myogenous component, osteoarthrosis and internal derangemen t respectively, whereas the fourth subgroup consisted of patients who did not fit into one of these categories. Differences between the four groups were found concerning mean age, the prevalence of a limited ra nge of motion, headache, psychosocial factors, loss of posterior tooth support and objective treatment outcome. The patients with CMD with a mainly myogenous component showed the highest percentages of CMD asso ciated disorders, the least successful treatment outcome and the highe st percentage of renewed treatment. The patients with internal derange ment showed the lowest mean age, the highest prevalence of a limited r ange of motion and the best treatment outcome. The patients in the ost eoarthrosis group showed the highest mean age and the highest percenta ge of loss of posterior tooth support. It may be concluded that the ev aluation of diagnostic subgroups of CMD patients has to be preferred i n the assessment of a heterogeneous group of patients with CMD.