Comparison of halitosis parameters and sialometry between patients subjected to head and neck radiotherapy and patients with periodontal disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate halitosis parameters and sialometry in patients subjectedto head and neck radiotherapy compared to patients with periodontal disease, establishing arelationship between oral concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and tongue coatingpresence, salivary flow rate and BANATM test. Methods: Thirty-eight patients were examinedand divided into 2 groups: group I: patients with chronic generalized periodontal disease previouslydiagnosed and not treated; group II: patients subjected to head and neck radiotherapy. All volunteerswere subjected to halitosis measurements through a sulphide monitor, evaluation of tongue coatingweight, stimulated and non-stimulated sialometry and BANATM test. Results: The results wereanalyzed by analysis of the variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Student’s t-test, showingthat both groups presented halitosis. There was also a relationship between tongue coatingpresence and VSC levels in both groups and the irradiated patients showed lower salivary flowrates. Conclusions: Under the tested conditions, it may be concluded that halitosis can beconsidered as an adverse effect of radiotherapy, associated with low salivary flow and poor oralhealth, which seems to be the main contribution to bad breath, since patients with periodontaldisease also showed halitosis.

Evaluation of halitosis and sialometry in patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the parameters of halitosis and sialometry in patients who had undergone head and neck radiotherapy, correlating oral concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) with the presence of tongue coating, salivary flow rate and BANA test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 35 patients allocated in two groups were examined: group I (control)--patients with systemic and oral health; group II--patients submitted to head and neck radiotherapy. All volunteers were submitted to halitosis measurements through a sulphide monitor, evaluation of tongue coating weight, non-stimulated sialometry and BANA test. RESULTS: The results were analyzed through analysis of variance, Pearson®s correlation and Student's t-test, showing that there was statistically significant difference in halimetry between the groups, where the irradiated patients showed halitosis. There was a relation between the presence of tongue coating and the levels of VSCs in both groups and it was also noted that the irradiated patients showed a decreased salivary flow rate compared to healthy patients. CONCLUSION: On the conditions of the present research, it was concluded that halitosis can be considered an adverse effect of radiotherapy, connected to hiposalivation and poor oral health.