Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common musculoskeletal conditions in the maxillofacial area. Although strong relationships between TMDs and other pain and diseases exist, few studies have comprehensively assessed the association between chronic diseases, ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders and TMD.

Of 25,534 individuals included in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012), 17,575 aged ≥20 years who completed survey items on TMD symptoms were included for cross-sectional analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between chronic diseases, ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders and examination findings, and TMD symptoms after adjusting for various confounding variables.

Out of 17,575 participants, 2,059 (11.75%) reported experience of ≥1 TMD symptom(s). Compared to individuals without chronic disease, those with asthma (odds ratio (OR) 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.96), migraine (1.44; 1.26–1.65), osteoarthritis (1.51; 1.20–1.89), thyroid dysfunction (1.49; 1.13–1.96), and depressive symptoms (1.51; 1.29–1.77) had higher ORs for TMD prevalence. Participants with tinnitus (1.97; 1.70–2.27), hearing difficulties (1.55; 1.29–1.87), dizziness (1.52; 1.27–1.82), rhinitis (1.46; 1.28–1.65), and xerophthalmia (1.82; 1.57–2.12) also displayed higher ORs for TMD prevalence. Patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis upon otolaryngologic examination exhibited an OR of 1.44 (95% CI 1.11–1.87) for TMD prevalence, while that for individuals with abnormal laryngoscopic results was 0.57 (95% CI 0.36–0.90).

These findings imply that TMDs, chronic diseases, and ophthalmologic and otolaryngologic disorders hold various correlations, suggesting the need for multitarget approaches to effectively address this phenomenon.