Clinical validity of the relationship between TMJ signs and symptoms in children and youth.

Cross-sectional data on subjective symptoms and clinical signs of TMJ dysfunction were collected from 1342 subjects ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old. Statistically significant associations existed between certain symptoms and signs (p less than .0001); however, these associations lacked correspondence as indicated by the sensitivity (from 2 percent to 40 percent) and false-positive rates (52 percent to 77 percent) of the symptom-related interview questions. These findings do not support drawing valid clinical conclusions from cross-sectional sign and symptom studies of TMJ dysfunction in children.