The relationship between headache and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder in the general population

Objectives. To describe the relationship between headache and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in a general population, and to assess whether there are specific symptoms associated with headache. Methods. A personal interview survey conducted in 1995 on 483 adult subjects from the metropolitan community of Segrate, northern Italy. Results. The overall prevalence of headache in the past year was 21.2%. The prevalence of temporomandibular symptoms was 54.3%. Headache occurred significantly more in females than males (26.5 vs 15.4%), and in subjects with, rather than without, symptoms of TMD (27.4 vs 15.2%). Among symptoms, temporomandibular pain, temporomandibular joint sounds, and pain on movements of the jaw were associated with headache using a univariate analysis. After adjustment for confounding variables, a multiple logistic regression confirmed a significant relationship of headache with temporomandibular pain (OR 1.83, 95% CI, 1.07–3.15). Conclusions. In the general adult population there is an association between headache and symptoms of TMD. A functional evaluation of the stomatognathic system should be therefore considered in subjects with unexplained headache, even if chronic conditions and mechanical symptoms of temporomandibular disorder are absent.