title: Association between oral malodour and psychological characteristics in subjects with neurotic tendencies complaining of halitosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the psychosomatically subjective symptoms of subjects with neurotic tendencies complaining of halitosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breath malodour was measured in 368 patients using organoleptic test and gas chromatography. Neurotic tendency and subjective symptoms were assessed using the Cornell Medical Index (CMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 79 subjects who met the criteria for neurotic tendencies according to CMI scores, 58 (73.4%) had oral malodour, whereas 21 (26.6%) did not. Coated tongue, periodontal pocket, and daily drinking were significantly more common in subjects with oral malodour. On the CMI questionnaire, subjects with no oral malodour more frequently responded 'yes' to questions about fatigue and psychological problems in their families. Additionally, many answered that they had perceived their own bad breath.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Difficulties experienced by subjects with neurotic tendencies and oral malodour may manifest primarily in oral conditions, whereas those experienced by individuals with neurotic tendencies and no oral malodour may manifest primarily in psychosomatic symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Section of General Dentistry, Department of General Dentistry, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan. naojsz@college.fdcnet.ac.jp
authors.forename: Nao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoneda
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Tetsuaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inamitsu
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Ichizo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hatano
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masuo
authors.forename: Akie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuijimoto
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirofuji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000150:complications*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D013457:Sulfur Compounds