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Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18(04): 383-386
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1385844
Original Research
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Association between Ear Fullness, Earache, and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in the Elderly

Julya Macedo
1   Department of Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade Global de Umuarama, Umuarama, Brazil
,
Marcelo Doi
2   Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, Brazil
,
Paula Vanessa Oltramari-Navarro
3   Department of Odontologia, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, Brazil
,
Vanessa Gorres
4   Department of Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, Brazil
,
Marina Stephany Mendes
4   Department of Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, Brazil
,
Izabele Machado Silva
4   Department of Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, Brazil
,
Ricardo Navarro
3   Department of Odontologia, Universidade Norte do Paraná (UNOPAR), Londrina, Brazil
,
Luciana Lozza Marchiori
1   Department of Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade Global de Umuarama, Umuarama, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

19 March 2014

07 June 2014

Publication Date:
25 August 2014 (online)

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Abstract

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.

Keywords

earache - elderly - temporomandibular joint disorders
 

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