Halitosis in obese patients and those undergoing bariatric surgery.
BACKGROUND
Patients undergoing bariatric surgery often complain of bad breath. However, the relationship between bariatric surgery and halitosis is relatively unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the occurrence of halitosis among patients before and after a specific type of bariatric surgery, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and its relationship with the tongue coating index, plaque index, and salivary flow rate.


METHODS
A total of 62 patients with good oral health and in treatment for obesity at the walk-in clinic of Santa Casa Hospital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, were selected. Of this sample, 31 were bariatric surgery candidates (control group) and 31 had already undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (case group). After completing a questionnaire, all patients underwent an oral clinical examination. Halitosis was measured using an organoleptic scale and a portable sulfide monitor.


RESULTS
The Spearman correlation demonstrated a strong positive relation between the organoleptic rates and the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds determined using the sulfide monitor (rs = .58; P = .0001). No difference was found in the prevalence of halitosis between the 2 groups (P = .48). Only the salivary flow rate was significantly reduced in the control group compared with the case group (P = .02). In the case group, the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds correlated negatively with the salivary flow rate (P = .04) and positively with the tongue coating index (P = .005). The tongue coating index was significantly increased in those patients who did not brush the tongue (P < .04) and who had had episodes of vomiting (P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that no significant association exists between halitosis and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, they do highlight the possible effect of this surgery on the oral cavity.
Departamento de Clínica, Patologia e Cirurgia, Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. dupim@yahoo.com.br
Ana Carolina
AC
Dupim Souza
Carolina F
CF
Franco
André L
AL
Pataro
Tadeu
T
Guerra
Fernando
F
de Oliveira Costa
José Eustáquio
JE
da Costa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006209:Halitosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D014059:Tongue / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
D013457:Sulfur Compounds