Association between viral hepatitis B infection and halitosis.
OBJECTIVE
Oral malodor can be increased in breath of liver patients. However, no study has been performed for the association between volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and viral hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between viral hepatitis and VSCs.


METHODS
This study analyzed 182 subjects and measured hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) and dimethyl sulfide [(CH3)2S] using the OralChroma(®). Hepatitis type B was evaluated. Periodontal health was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Tongue coating score (TCS) was evaluated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship.


RESULTS
Viral hepatitis had an elevated odds of dimethyl sulfide defined halitosis (OR = 9.22, 95% CI = 2.08-40.95) after controlling for age, gender, alcohol consumption, current smoking, periodontitis, BOP, TCS and tongue brushing habit. The magnitude of the association between viral hepatitis and VSCs defined halitosis attenuated with adjustment of mediators (alcohol consumption, periodontitis, BOP, TCS and tongue brushing habit for hydrogen sulfide defined halitosis; periodontitis, TCS and tongue brushing habit for methyl mercaptan defined halitosis; tongue brushing habit for dimethyl sulfide defined halitosis).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of this study suggest that viral hepatitis may be associated with methyl mercaptan defined halitosis.
Department of Preventive and Social Dentistry.
Dong-Hun
DH
Han
Sun-Mi
SM
Lee
Jung-Gyu
JG
Lee
Yun-Jin
YJ
Kim
Jin-Bom
JB
Kim
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000150:complications*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged