Introduction An earache (otalgia or ear pain) is pain in one or both ears that may last a short or long time. Earache is prevalent in the population with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs), but there is a dearth of epidemiologic studies regarding the association between TMJD and ear pain and ear fullness in older people. Objective To assess the presence of earache and ear fullness in elderly patients with TMJD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in independently living, elderly individuals. TMJD was assessed by dental evaluation and earache was verified by medical history. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test and relative risk. Results Of the 197 subjects evaluated in this part of the study, 22 had earache, and 35 was verified by ear fullness. Of the 22 subjects with earache, none had conductive or mixed hearing loss in the ears tested. There was a significant association (p = 0.036) between the TMJD and earache (odds ratio = 2.3), but there was no significant association between the TMJD and ear fullness. Conclusion These results highlight the importance of identifying risk factors for earache that can be modified through specific interventions, which is essential in the prevention of future episodes, as well as managing the process of treatment of elderly patients in general.

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a associação entre zumbido e disfunção temporomandibular em idosos. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com a inclusão de idosos com vida independente. A disfunção temporomandibular foi avaliada por exame odontológico e o zumbido foi verificado pela história médica. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o teste Qui-quadrado, o risco relativo e a regressão logística. Resultados O zumbido foi observado em 82,9% dos indivíduos com disfunção temporomandibular e, através desta análise, observou-se que a disfunção temporomandibular é um fator de risco para o zumbido. Conclusão Houve associação entre zumbido e disfunção temporomandibular na população idosa. Ressalta-se a importância de identificar fatores de risco para o zumbido, que podem ser modificados por meio de intervenções específicas, uma vez que esta prática é essencial na prevenção de episódios futuros, bem como na gestão do processo de tratamento de pacientes idosos, em geral.

Introduction Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) covers a variety of clinical problems, and some epidemiologic studies have tried to indicate mechanisms of interaction and association between vertigo and TMD, but this topic still is controversial. Objective To assess the presence of vertigo in elderly patients associated with TMD. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with the inclusion of elderly individuals who lived independently. TMD was assessed by dental evaluation and vertigo was verified by medical history. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square and relative risk. Results There was a significant association (p = 0.0256) between the TMD and vertigo (odds ratio = 2.3793). Conclusion These results highlighted the importance of identifying risk factors for vertigo that can be modified through specific interventions, which is essential to prevent future episodes, as well as managing the process of rehabilitation of elderly patients in general.

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