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Estimated prevalence of halitosis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis

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Abstract

Objective

This study aims to conduct a systematic review to determine the prevalence of halitosis in adolescents and adults.

Methods

Electronic searches were performed using four different databases without restrictions: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO. Population-based observational studies that provided data about the prevalence of halitosis in adolescents and adults were included. Additionally, meta-analyses, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to synthesize the evidence.

Results

A total of 584 articles were initially found and considered for title and abstract evaluation. Thirteen articles met inclusion criteria. The combined prevalence of halitosis was found to be 31.8% (95% CI 24.6–39.0%). Methodological aspects such as the year of publication and the socioeconomic status of the country where the study was conducted seemed to influence the prevalence of halitosis.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that the estimated prevalence of halitosis was 31.8%, with high heterogeneity between studies. The results suggest a worldwide trend towards a rise in halitosis prevalence.

Clinical relevance

Given the high prevalence of halitosis and its complex etiology, dental professionals should be aware of their roles in halitosis prevention and treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, 457 Gonçalves Chaves St., Pelotas, RS, Brazil

    Manuela F. Silva, Fábio R. M. Leite, Larissa B. Ferreira, Natália M. Pola, Flávio F. Demarco & Gustavo G. Nascimento

  2. Section of Periodontology, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Vennelyst Boulevard 9, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark

    Fábio R. M. Leite & Gustavo G. Nascimento

  3. School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo - The State University of New York, Foster Hall, Buffalo, 14214, NY, USA

    Frank A. Scannapieco

  4. Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, 1160 Mal. Deodoro St., Pelotas, Brazil

    Flávio F. Demarco

Authors
  1. Manuela F. Silva
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  2. Fábio R. M. Leite
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  3. Larissa B. Ferreira
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  7. Gustavo G. Nascimento
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gustavo G. Nascimento.

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The work was not supported by any funding.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Electronic supplementary material

Fig. S1

Sensitivity analysis demonstrating the influence of each study in the pooled prevalence of halitosis. Data are presented as new prevalence of halitosis for each study omission (circles) and 95%CI (horizontal lines). (GIF 48 kb)

High resolution (TIFF 8856 kb)

Table S1

(DOCX 45 kb)

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Silva, M.F., Leite, F.R.M., Ferreira, L.B. et al. Estimated prevalence of halitosis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis. Clin Oral Invest 22, 47–55 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2164-5

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