Healthcare utilisation and costs for temporomandibular disorders: a descriptive, cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTemporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) requires long-term management and can be a financial burden for patients. Here, we investigated the treatment received by people diagnosed with TMD and its relevant costs.DesignA descriptive, cross-sectional study.Setting and participantsWe performed secondary data analysis of health insurance claims data provided by the Health Insurance Assessment and Review (HIRA) of the Republic of Korea. We reviewed the records of 10 041 patients who were diagnosed with TMD and who utilised outpatient healthcare service at least once between January and December 2017.Primary and secondary outcome measuresData on use of medical services, hospitalisations, sociodemographic factors, treatment and medication were retrieved and analysed. Cost was defined as the cost of care incurred by a health insurance beneficiary at a care facility.ResultsWe reported the characteristics as medians, frequencies and percentages and found that most TMD patients were outpatients, women (58.9%) and in their 20s (46.4%). For visit type, 85.9% of all patients had an outpatient dental medical visit, with most visiting dental clinics and dental hospitals. Western medicine (WM; 9.8%) was prescribed more often, followed by Korean medicine (KM; 8.2%). The median expense per patient was highest among those in their 20s (58.00, 23.90, 53.40, 65.90 US$ for overall, WM, dental medicine (DM) and KM, respectively). Consultation fees accounted for the greatest percentage (42.8%) of DM and WM care expenses, while injection/non-surgical intervention fees accounted for the greatest percentage of KM care expenses. The most commonly used treatments for TMD were temporomandibular joint stimulation therapy (51.1%) and acupuncture (19.9%), considered as the most basic care for TMD. Psychosomatic agents (86.4%) were the most commonly used medications in outpatients.ConclusionsWhile people with TMD most commonly received temporomandibular stimulation therapy, the costs and duration of treatment varied significantly for these patients.

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Stress Levels and Occurrence of Stomatoghnatic System Disorders (SSDs) among Physiotherapy Students in Poland

“…Multiple researchers emphasized the importance of mental stress in shaping the pathology of the SS [17][18][19][20]. Stressors with somatic consequences are largely dependent on the patient's personality type and the ability to cope with stress.…”

“…As a consequence, symptoms such as: bruxism, pain in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and headaches may appear. Long-term symptoms of SSDs may contribute to irreversible changes in this system, resulting in impaired chewing, swallowing, speech, and breathing functions [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Additionally, long-term reports about TMJ internal derangements were released [21][22][23][24][25].…”

Oxygen-Ozone Therapy for Reducing Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Serum Levels in Musculoskeletal and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

“…Main clinical symptoms are pain and limited jaw range of motion, often accompanied by decrease in the maximal interincisal opening, muscle or joint tenderness on palpation, joint sounds, and otologic complaints (e.g., tinnitus, vertigo, or ear fullness) [ 151 , 152 ]. These signs and symptoms could lead to discomfort or difficulty in performing activities of daily living, such as eating, chewing, talking, swallowing, yawning, causing disability with a significantly reduced quality of life [ 153 , 154 , 155 ].…”

Treatment for temporomandibular disorders in South Korea: A 9‐year trend using cluster analysis

“…A survey of 862 clinics in the US and 89 clinics in Japan reported that splints or mouthguards are the most frequently utilised treatments, while NSAIDs were the most frequently prescribed drugs 24,25 . A study conducted in Korea using 2017 claims data reported that physiotherapy was the most common treatment 26 . However, these studies only examined a short period and thus could not identify trends or differences in treatment patterns according to patient characteristics 26 .…”

“…24,25 A study conducted in Korea using 2017 claims data reported that physiotherapy was the most common treatment. 26 However, these studies only examined a short period and thus could not identify trends or differences in treatment patterns according to patient characteristics. 26 In this study, we aimed to examine TMD treatment trends and differences in treatment patterns according to patient characteristics.…”