Features of Idiopathic Halitosis and Its Association With Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation

Idiopathic halitosis is occasionally encountered in clinical practice, yet with scarce reports. This work aimed to investigate its features and potential association with low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI). This retrospective study reviewed idiopathic halitosis from 2469 halitosis patients and compared them with 63 healthy controls (HCs). Organoleptic score (OLS), exhaled volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), serum inflammatory cytokines, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO ) to indicate LGSI were determined. Totally, 54 (2.19%) idiopathic halitosis patients were identified and they were extraoral. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was found to be the primary exhaled VSC. Inflammatory cytokines were slightly elevated in 5.56% (3/54) of idiopathic halitosis compared to none of HCs (p = 0.095). FeNO was elevated in 79.63% (43/54) of idiopathic halitosis compared to none of HCs (p