Study of Volatile Sulfur Compound Stability in Breath Samples to Improve Halitosis Diagnosis

What this Trial Is About

Halitosis, or bad breath, affects about 30% of people worldwide, often caused by oral conditions like periodontitis. Diagnosing halitosis requires a clinical interview to distinguish real halitosis from psychological causes, along with measuring volatile sulfur compounds VSC in exhaled air. Since many healthcare facilities lack the equipment to measure VSCs, patients often travel far for this analysis. This study aims to evaluate how stable VSC values are in gas samples up to seven days after collection, to see if delayed analysis is clinically useful. Participants will provide gaseous samples by aspirating the air from their oral cavity using a 1ml plastic syringe. The study will analyze the concentration of hydrogen sulfide H2S, a key VSC, at the time of sampling Day 0 and again after seven days. This approach explores whether patients can collect samples at home and have them analyzed later, potentially simplifying diagnosis. During the study, participants will undergo sampling of exhaled air for VSC measurement at two time points. Researchers will compare the stability of H2S levels between Day 0 and Day 7. Participants must be adults seeking diagnosis or treatment for periodontal disease and able to consent. The study is sponsored by the University Hospital in Strasbourg, France, and does not involve treatment but focuses on diagnostic methods for halitosis.

Evaluation of the Stability of Sulfur Volatile Compounds From Exhaled Air for Halitosis Diagnosis