[Study on self-reported halitosis and the associated factors in patients in a periodontal clinic]

To evaluate self-reported halitosis in patients who visited a periodontal clinic and assess the possible factors associated with genuine halitosis.

The subjects included 435 patients who visited periodontal department of Peking University, School and Hospital of Stomatology. All of them were non-smokers. First, the degree of halitosis was estimated by Organoleptic Test. Then, a standardized questionnaire focusing on life style, oral hygiene, medical history, dental condition, self-reported halitosis was completed by all participants. Additionally, tongue coating was evaluated for 312 patients.

273 of 435 participants had self-reported halitosis. According to Organoleptic Test, 31.2% patients complaining halitosis had actually no malodor while 68.8% had genuine halitosis. There was statistically significant difference of the proportion of patients who were unwilling to mention about halitosis between genuine halitosis group and pseudo-halitosis group (P=0.003). Proportion of patients who had accepted treatment for halitosis was statistically significant higher in pseudo-halitosis group than in genuine halitosis group (P=0.029). Logistic regression analysis showed bleeding on brushing (OR=2.905, P=0.000), area of tongue coating≥2 (OR=2.395, P=0.019), thickness of tongue coating≥2 (OR=3.419, P=0.000) were factors associated with genuine halitosis.

Not all self-reported patients actually had malodor, the psychological condition was different between pseudo-halitosis and genuine halitosis patients. Bleeding on brushing, large tongue coating area, thick tongue coating were associated with genuine halitosis.