ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY OUTPATIENT CARE FOR TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION IN THE SINGLE HEALTH SYSTEM: A CROSS-CROSS-SET STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To analyze physiotherapeutic outpatient care for people diagnosed with Temporomandibular Dysfunction in the Unified Health System in 2023. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. Data was obtained from the SUS Outpatient Information System (SIA/SUS) regarding procedures in which the professional occupation was physiotherapy and the main diagnosis was Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (ICD-10: K07.6), from January to November 2023. The data was collected and processed using the Microdatasus package in the R environment. Results: 421 TMD treatment procedures carried out by physiotherapists were recorded, the majority in the South (84.3%), with the North and Midwest having the lowest numbers. The adult age group was the most prevalent (80.5%), as were white and female patients. Osteopathic treatment was predominant (75.3%), followed by electrostimulation sessions (5.5%). There was a low number of evaluative and anamnesis measurements, resulting in 1.4% of the total represented. Polyclinics were predominantly sought out and/or available (76.7%), with a smaller number in specialized hospitals (0.2%). Conclusion: The results presented are in line with epidemiological research into TMD, but showed a low number of outpatient physiotherapeutic treatments for this condition. There were limitations regarding the techniques used in the treatment of TMD and limitations regarding the information provided by the platforms used.