Psychological condition of patients complaining of halitosis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the actual degree of malodor and the psychological condition of patients complaining of halitosis. Methods: The subjects consisted of 155 patients aged 46±17 years (mean±SD) who visited the Halitosis Clinic at Kyushu University Dental Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. The Cornell Medical Index (CMI) Health Questionnaire was used to evaluate the psychological condition of patients. The degree of halitosis was estimated by the organoleptic test. Results: Fifty-five percent of the patients had no or slight odor. Patients with a lower degree of halitosis showed a stronger psychopathological profile. There was a significant correlation between the degree of halitosis and the tendency toward neurosis (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient r=−0.37, P<0.001). Conclusions: The results suggest that psychological condition is closely associated with symptoms of patients complaining of halitosis. The CMI Health Questionnaire may be a helpful tool for the diagnosis of patients who complain of halitosis.