Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the correlation between values of Helkimo anamnestic dysfunction index (symptoms) and values of Helkimo clinical dysfunction index (signs) within a group of subjects suffering from PTSD and a control group. The subjects were divided into two groups, the first comprising 38 subjects of both sexes, aged 30 to 60, who had been professionally diagnosed with PTSD. The control group comprised 32 subjects of both sexes. All patients had their histories taken in compliance with the Helkimo anamnestic dysfunction index (Ai), and a clinical examination was performed in compliance with the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index (Di). Anamnestic data provided the information on TMD symptoms, and clinical examination confirmed signs of the TMD. A Pearson’s correlation was calculated in order to compare values of the Helkimo anamnestic (Ai) and clinical dysfunction index (Di). In the control group, it was found that there is no statistically significant relationship between the two indices. The relationship between the two indices proved to be statistically significant for the PTSD group. It is concluded that the Helkimo anamnestic (Ai) and the Helkimo clinical dysfunction (Di) indices have no joint variables in the control group, whereas there was a joint variation of the two indices among the group of subjects suffering from PTSD.

Key words: Correlation, Temporomandibular dysfunction, Posttraumatic stress disorder