Self-reported halitosis in a sample of Brazilians: Prevalence, associated risk predictors and accuracy estimates with clinical diagnosis

AIMS

To evaluate the prevalence of self-reported halitosis and its predictors, and to determine the accuracy estimates of self-reported measures with clinical evaluation of halitosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study comprised 5,420 individuals (teaching staff, administrative personnel and ongoing students from Federal University of Minas Gerais), who answered a structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic, medical and dental data, and self-reported halitosis measures. A subsample (n = 159) underwent halitosis assessment through the organoleptic method. Predictors for self-reported halitosis were determined through univariate and multivariate analyses. Accuracy estimates of self-reported measures were evaluated in this subsample.

RESULTS

Prevalence of self-reported halitosis varied from approximately 4%-35%, depending on the self-reported measure. Self-reported halitosis was mainly associated with socio-economic variables (age, gender, educational level), parameters of oral health (gingival bleeding, gingival infections, tongue coating, general oral health evaluation) and impacts on daily activities (family/social environment and intimate relations). Specificity values for self-reported halitosis measures were determined to be high for clinical (organoleptic score ≥2) and strong (organoleptic score ≥4) halitosis. Combinations of self-reported measures retrieved useful accuracy estimates for strong halitosis.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence rates of self-reported halitosis may be considered moderate. Accuracy diagnostic estimates were determined to be useful, with good prediction for non-diseased individuals.

Effects of topical application of 1% sodium alendronate gel in the surgical treatment of periodontal intrabony defects: A 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium alendronate (ALN) is an aminobisphosphonate and potent inhibitor of bone resorption. It has been suggested that ALN might be a promising carrier of biomolecules for periodontal bone repair. The aim of this randomized split-mouth clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of the topical application of 1% ALN gel in intrabony defects during the surgical treatment of patients with periodontitis.

METHODS

Sixty-four intrabony defects from 32 patients with periodontitis were randomly treated with either 1% ALN gel or placebo gel during periodontal surgeries. Full-mouth periodontal examination was performed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after surgical treatment. Clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded as the clinical outcomes. Bone defects were evaluated by digital subtraction radiography (DSR) at baseline and 6 months post-treatment. Analyses were performed through Fisher, Kruskal-Wallis, and ANOVA tests and a generalized estimation equations method.

RESULTS

Both ALN and placebo groups showed significant improvements in BOP, PD, and CAL after periodontal surgical procedures (P < 0.001). Intergroup analysis showed significantly better outcomes in the ALN group with higher PD reduction and clinical attachment gain. DSR showed positive effects on periodontal bone repair strongly associated in the ALN group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Topical application of 1% ALN may be a promising and beneficial adjuvant for the treatment of intrabony defects during surgical periodontal therapy.