An Assessment of Alpha-Amylase as Salivary Psychological Stress Marker in Relation to Temporomandibular Disorders among a Sample of Dental Students

Abstract

Background: University dental students perceived a higher level of stress prior to the final exam associated with raisedsalivary alpha-amylase levels which could be considered as a useful noninvasive biomarker for measuring acutestress. Using a Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring for temporomandibular disorders can give abetter insight about the association of this marker and temporomandibular disorders. The aim of this study was toevaluation level of salivary alpha-amylase in stressor students with temporomandibular disorders and the relationbetween the marker in relation to temporomandibular disorders severity. This might give a better understanding tothe role of psychological stress as an etiological factor for developing temporomandibular joint problems.Materials and Methods: A total eighty participants aged between 20 to 24 were recruited for this study. Theparticipants were University dental students under graduate students at final examination period who wereexamined and gave saliva samples in final examination period. Salivary assay kits as alpha-amylase was used tomeasure those variable and a Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring for temporomandibulardisorders.Results: The group of participants with stress and temporomandibular disorders showed significantly higher levels ofsalivary alpha-amylase than the control group, the salivary alpha-amylase has statistically non-significant correlationwith Helkimo anamnestic categories (Di-I mild, Di-II moderate and Di-III severe. Salivary alpha-amylase levels shownon-significant and weak association with two categories of clinical dysfunction criteria in Helkimo index system,which are Muscle pain and temporomandibular joint pain on palpation.Conclusion: This study concluded that University students perceived a high level of stress before the finalexamination. Salivary alpha-amylase is now the stress biomarker that is most often used to measure acute stress.Helkimo anamnestic and clinical dysfunction scoring criteria for still the pioneer for measuring a TMD