TITLE:
Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders among Patients Reporting to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé, Maldives
AUTHORS:
Shahid Ali, Nadeema Rasheed, Yogyata Dhami
KEYWORDS:
Temporomandibular Disorders, Temporomandibular Joint, TMJ, Prevalence, Clicking, Pain, Crepitus, Maldives, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.10,
October
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and associated structures. Common manifestations include orofacial pain, joint sounds, and abnormalities of mandibular movement. Despite the considerable clinical burden of TMD, epidemiological information from the Maldives remains limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders among patients reporting to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Malé, Maldives. Materials and Methods: A descriptive prospective observational study was conducted among patients attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and related clinical services at IGMH. A total of 384 participants aged 18 - 69 years were included in the final analysis. Clinical assessment included pain, TMJ sounds, mandibular deviation/deflection, and parafunctional habits. Participants fulfilling the studys clinical criteria for TMD were classified as TMD-positive. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: Among 384 participants, 142 were identified as having TMD, giving an overall prevalence of 37.0%. Among the TMD-positive participants, the prevalence in the younger population (59.6%) was more compared to the elder ones (11.6%). The female population was found to be greater (69.01%) in percentage compared to males (30.9%). Clicking was the most frequently observed finding among TMD-positive participants, occurring in 113 patients (79.6%), followed by pain in 109 (76.8%), mandibular deviation/deflection in 88 (62.0%), crepitus in 52 (36.6%), and parafunctional habits in 37 (26.1%). Conclusion: TMD findings were common among patients attending IGMH, with approximately one in three participants meeting the study criteria for TMD. Females demonstrated a higher prevalence than males with more prevalence in younger populations while clicking and pain were the predominant clinical findings. These findings provide preliminary epidemiological data on TMD in the Maldivian clinical population and support the need for standardized assessment and further population-based research.