Saliva cortisol levels and depression in individuals with temporomandibular disorder: preliminary study* Níveis de cortisol salivar e depressão em indivíduos com disfunção temporomandibular: estudo preliminar

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders are common in general population and their etiology is also linked to psychological factors. Cortisol is a hormone the secretion of which may be increased during emotional changes. This study aimed at evaluating the presence of depression and saliva cortisol levels in patients with temporomandibular disorders. METHODS: Participated in the research 48 students, being 36 females and 12 males, aged between 19 and 32 years. Participants were previously evaluated by means of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire and were classified in two groups: with temporomandibular disorders and without temporomandibular disorders. To establish the presence of depression the Symptom Checklist 90 – Revised test was applied. Saliva was collected between 9:00 a.m. and 9:25 a.m. and saliva cortisol levels were analyzed by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The Symptom Checklist 90 – Revised has suggested that 64% of patients with temporomandibular disorder were depressed as compared to 43% of individuals without temporomandibular disorder. Saliva cortisol level was 0.272μg/dL for the temporomandibular disorder group and of 0,395μg/dL for the group without temporomandibular disorder, with no statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the study, it was possible to conclude that there is no association among saliva cortisol levels, depression and the presence of temporomandibular disorders.