Management of functional constipation-associated halitosis: a retrospective study.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Otolaryngology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Functional constipation (FC) is associated with halitosis.
• Previous research identified features of FC-associated halitosis.
• This study investigates the treatment and efficacy of FC-associated halitosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the treatment and efficacy of functional constipation (FC)-associated halitosis.
• To determine the correlation between FC severity and halitosis severity.
• To assess the predictive value of constipation scores for halitosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 100 FC patients (82 with halitosis, 18 without).
• Organoleptic test (OLT) and organoleptic score (OLS) for halitosis assessment.
• Cleveland Clinical Constipation Score (CCCS) for FC severity assessment.
• Treatment with polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder (PGEP) for four weeks.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation (r=0.814) was found between OLS and CCCS before treatment.
• A CCCS ≥18 predicted over 50% probability of halitosis.
• After PGEP treatment, both CCCS and OLS significantly decreased (P<0.001).
• A post-treatment CCCS ≥12 predicted post-treatment halitosis.

Conclusions:

• The severity of FC parallels the severity of FC-associated halitosis.
• FC severity can predict the probability of halitosis.
• Laxative treatment with PGEP is effective in improving FC-associated halitosis.