Affiliation:
1. Kyung Hee University, Kyung Hee University
2. Seoul National University School of Dentistry
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
This study aimed to explore seasonal variations in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) prevalence in South Korea, utilizing nationwide population-based big data.
Method
Data from the Korean Meteorological Administration combined with big data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) (2010–2022), identified as TMD (K07.6) through a 4-digit disease code search, were used. TMD patient data for the past 13 years were statistically processed every month, and prevalence by season was analyzed.
Results
In 2022, 484,241 individuals sought treatment for TMD in hospitals with an increase of 97.89% from 244,708 cases in 2010. The onset of TMD showed no sex differences in those under 10 years of age. However, a distinct female predominance emerged after 10 years of age, with an average female-to-male ratio of 1.84:1. The peak prevalence was observed in the 20–24 age group. TMD patient numbers across seasons showed no significant increase in winter compared with spring or summer. However, there was a significant correlation between the maximum and minimum temperatures and the number of patients with TMD. A higher temperature difference correlated with a higher TMD patient count. The strongest correlation between TMD patient numbers and temperature differences was observed in winter (r = 0.480, p < 0.01), followed by summer (r = 0.443, p < 0.05), and spring (r = 0.366, p < 0.01). The highest number of patients with TMD were distributed in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, with metropolitan areas accounting for 50% of the total patient count.
Conclusions
Diurnal temperature fluctuations showed a significantly stronger correlation with the increase in the number of TMD patients than absolute climate temperatures. This aspect should be a key consideration when examining trends in patients with TMD across distinct seasons in South Korea.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC