title: Halitosis as a product of hepatic disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated halitosis in patients suffering from hepatic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients (12 males and 13 females) aged between 16 and 73 years who had undergone treatment for liver disease were included in this study. Three halimeter recordings were performed to measure methyl mercarptan and hydrogen sulphite. Mean values were calculated and compared with normal values (75-120 ppb). The level of significance was set at P < .05. Results: Thirteen of the 25 subjects (52%) had normal Volatile Sulphur Compound (VSC) values (75-120 ppb). Twelve subjects (48%) recorded values ranging from 132 to 1112 ppb. There was no correlation between hepatic pathology and halitosis. Fifty-two percent of all subjects had poor oral hygiene, strongly correlated with high VSC values (P<0.05) whereas the remaining 48% with good hygiene had normal levels of VSC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study, high values of VSC were not associated with the presence of hepatic disease.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guglielmi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beushausen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beech
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000150:complications; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D006209:Halitosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D013447:Sulfites / Q000032:analysis; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013447:Sulfites; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; C005231:methylmercaptan; C042345:hydrogen sulfite