Introduction As a part of a multi-site RDC/TMD Validation Project, comprehensive TMJ diagnostic criteria were developed for image analysis using panoramic radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). Methods Inter-examiner reliability was estimated using the kappa (k) statistic, and agreement between rater pairs was characterized by overall, positive, and negative percent agreement. CT was the reference standard for assessing validity of other imaging modalities for detecting osteoarthritis (OA). Results For the radiological diagnosis of OA, reliability of the three examiners was poor for panoramic radiography (k = 0.16), fair for MRI (k = 0.46), and close to the threshold for excellent for CT (k = 0.71). Using MRI, reliability was excellent for diagnosing disc displacements (DD) with reduction (k = 0.78) and for DD without reduction (k = 0.94), and was good for effusion (k = 0.64). Overall percent agreement for pair-wise ratings was ≥ 82% for all conditions. Positive percent agreement for diagnosing OA was 19% for panoramic radiography, 59% for MRI, and 84% for CT. Using MRI, positive percent agreement for diagnoses of any DD was 95% and for effusion was 81%. Negative percent agreement was ≥ 88% for all conditions. Compared to CT, panoramic radiography and MRI had poor to marginal sensitivity, respectively, but excellent specificity, in detecting OA. Conclusion Comprehensive image analysis criteria for RDC/TMD Validation Project were developed, which can reliably be employed for assessing OA using CT, and for disc position and effusion using MRI.

The need for cross-culturally adapted oral-health specific health outcome measures is increasingly recognized in Germany. Following accepted cultural adaptation technique guidelines, we report the development of the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). The original 49 items were translated using a forward-backward method. A de novo development of German items established content validity. A priori hypothesized associations between the OHIP summary score and self-reported oral health and five oral disorders were confirmed in a random sample of the general population (n = 163, age 20-60 yr). These associations were interpreted as support for construct validity. The instrument's responsiveness, as indicated by a mean OHIP summary score change from 45.0 to 28.3, was established in 67 consecutive patients treated for temporomandibular disorder pain (age 19-85 yr; 72% women). Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.63-0.92 for dimensions and summary scores (convenience sample, n = 30, age 18-85 yr; 53% women). Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha > 0.74). Sufficient discriminative and evaluative psychometric properties of the Oral Health Impact Profile German version (OHIP-G) make the instrument suitable for assessment of oral health-related quality of life in cross-sectional as well as longitudinal studies.

Sufficient discriminative and evaluative psychometric properties of short forms of the OHIP-G make the instruments suitable to assess OHRQoL in cross-sectional as well as longitudinal studies.

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Denture status was a stronger predictor for impaired OHRQoL than demographic variables and rendered age and education almost negligible in their influence on OHRQoL.