« Previous AbstractMammal-induced trophic cascades in invertebrate food webs are modulated by grazing intensity in subalpine grassland    Next Abstract"[Endocrine disruption agents: environment, health, public policies, and the precautionary principle]" »

J Clin Periodontol

Title:		Clinical reliability of non-organoleptic oral malodour measurements
Author(s):		Vandekerckhove B; Van den Velde S; De Smit M; Dadamio J; Teughels W; Van Tornout M; Quirynen M;
Address:		"Department of Periodontology, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven BE-3000, Belgium"
Journal Title:		J Clin Periodontol
Year:		2009
Volume:		36
Issue:		11
Page Number:		964 - 969
DOI:		10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01473.x
ISSN/ISBN:		1600-051X (Electronic) 0303-6979 (Linking)
Abstract:		"AIM: Measurement of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) by portable sulphur monitors (Halimeter, OralChroma) is a common practice for diagnosis of oral malodour. In this study, the clinical value of these devices was examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and eighty patients with bad breath complaints attending a halitosis consultation were enrolled. Organoleptic scores were given by a trained and calibrated judge, before measurement of the VSC levels (Halimeter, OralChroma), to avoid any bias. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the organoleptic assessment, the Halimeter, and the OralChroma (R=0.74 for organoleptic versus Halimeter; 0.66 for organoleptic versus OralChroma; 0.63 for Halimeterversus OralChroma). The sensitivity and specificity (with regard to the organoleptic score) to detect patients with/without oral malodour for the Halimeter were 63% and 98%, respectively, and for the OralChroma 69% and 100% when using the cutoffs suggested by the manufacturer. By lowering these values, sensitivity could be improved without a significant decrease in specificity (both devices). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the measurement of the VSC levels can be used as an adjunct to the organoleptic assessment. Thresholds should be revisited in order to improve their clinical utility. These devices can prove the absence of malodour in case of pseudo-halitosis"
Keywords:		"Adult Breath Tests/*instrumentation Chromatography, Gas/instrumentation/statistics & numerical data Female Halitosis/*diagnosis Humans Hydrogen Sulfide/analysis Male Oral Hygiene Index Periodontal Index Reproducibility of Results Sensitivity and Specifici;"
Notes:		"MedlineVandekerckhove, Betty Van den Velde, Sandra De Smit, Menke Dadamio, Jesica Teughels, Wim Van Tornout, Marie Quirynen, Marc eng 2009/10/22 J Clin Periodontol. 2009 Nov; 36(11):964-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01473.x"