Characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a halitosis clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to analyse the aetiology and characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a multidisciplinary bad breath clinic in Leuven, Belgium and to correlate organoleptic ratings with portable device measurements.


METHODS
The characteristics and aetiology of breath malodour of two thousand consecutive patients who visited a halitosis consultation were explored by means of a standard questionnaire and a clinical examination, including organoleptic scores provided by a trained and calibrated judge, and a portable bad breath detector (Halimeter).


RESULTS
Most patients came without referral and had complaints for several years (mean: 7 years, SD: 8 years). For 76% of the patients, an oral cause was found [tongue coating (43%), gingivitis/periodontitis (11%) or a combination of the two (18%)]. Pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia was diagnosed in 16% of the cases; and ear, nose and throat/extra-oral causes were found in 4% of the patients. Most patients had an organoleptic score <3 and a Halimeter value <240 p.p.b.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though it was observed that halitosis has a predominantly oral origin, a multidisciplinary approach remains necessary to identify ear, nose and throat or extra-oral pathologies and/or pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia.
Quirynen
Marc
M
Department of Periodontology, Catholic University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium. marc.quirynen@med.kuleuven.be
Dadamio
Jesica
J
Van den Velde
Sandra
S
De Smit
Menke
M
Dekeyser
Christel
C
Van Tornout
Marie
M
Vandekerckhove
Betty
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000295:instrumentation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000150:complications; D006209:Halitosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000150:complications; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications; D010808:Physical Examination; D012903:Smell; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D013457:Sulfur Compounds