Differences of psychological status of TMD patients, orthodontic patients and the general population during the COVID-19 epidemic: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Confronting with the outbreak of COVID-19, this cross-sectional study aimed to assess the differences of psychological status of temporomandibular disorders patients, orthodontic patients and the general population in China during the epidemic. Methods An online anonymous questionnaire was developed in Chinese, including the individual background information, the perception of the epidemic, and level of anxiety and depression through Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The respondents were divided into Control group, ORTHO group and TMD group. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression modelling were performed. Results 1241 valid questionnaires in total were collected, with 587 orthodontic patients and 220 TMD patients. The mean score of K10 was 18.65. When compared with the general population, TMD patients displayed statistically higher level of anxiety and depression (P<0.05), whereas orthodontic patients not (P>0.05). Multiple linear regression model also showed that age, gender, some concerns about the impact of epidemic were correlated with psychological status. Conclusions The overall mental health was severely worsened by the COVID-19 epidemic. TMD patients had higher level of psychological distress than orthodontic patients and the general population. Factors such as younger age, female, concerning about the isolation and psychological barriers and distrust were amongst the associations with a high level of psychological distress. Mental health care should be paid to patients when hospitals and clinics re-open after the COVID-19 epidemic, especially to patients with these relevant characteristics.