RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL ISOLATION, ANXIETY, AND SELF-REPORTED BRUXISM IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Resumo

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of bruxism and its relation to anxiety in university students at a Brazilian public institution during the period of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study, with data collected at the beginning of the pandemic in the country. The dependent variable was the presence or absence of awake and sleep bruxism. The independent variables were gender, age, course of study, study year/semester, social isolation, and anxiety, analyzed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7). Descriptive and analytical statistics were employed, showing significance below 5% (p < 0.05) and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). 251 undergraduate students participated in the research. 80.1% said they were in social isolation, and 33.9% had moderate and severe anxiety. The prevalence of awake bruxism was 33.5%, and it was statistically associated with anxiety (p<0.001) and social isolation (p<0.024). On the other hand, sleep bruxism was prevalent in 15.9% of the population and was associated only with the course of study (p<0.041). Bruxism and anxiety showed a substantial prevalence among undergraduate students during the period of social isolation.

Keywords: Bruxism. Anxiety. COVID-19.