# Prevalence of anxiety symptoms, depression and temporomandibular dysfunction in prisoners and workers from a brazilian prison: an observational study

## TL;DR

This study found high rates of anxiety, depression, and jaw-related issues among Brazilian prisoners and prison staff, with prisoners being most affected.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on mental health and TMD prevalence in a Brazilian prison population and staff.

## Key findings

- Anxiety and depression levels were 64.86% and 48.64% among prisoners.
- Depression influenced jaw symptoms in both employees and prisoners.
- Employees with anxiety reported more headaches.

## Abstract

Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) is a condition in which there are several psychosomatic and/or psychosocial aspects. Imprisonment situations may be an example of a triggering factor for stress and TMD symptoms, especially if taken into account that the incarcerated population is bigger than the general population.

The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in prisoners and employees of a closed male penitentiary in Brazil.

A total of 140 prisoners and 50 employees were part of the study. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, where the symptom questionnaire for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were applied.

The anxiety and depression levels found in prisoners were 64.86% and 48.64%, respectively. There was a higher statistical significance in the reported symptoms of headache in employees with anxiety when compared to those without anxiety (p= 0.03). Regarding depression, it was observed that it influenced the symptoms of jaw opening and locking, both in employees (p=0.09) and inmates (p=0.01).

A high prevalence of TMD symptoms, anxiety, and depression were identified in both prisoners and employees, especially the prisoners.