Eradication therapy in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with halitosis: long-term outcome

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and long-term outcome of halitosis before and after eradication therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Subjects and methods: Halitosis and dyspepsia-related symptoms were investigated by way of a questionnaire. Only patients with functional dyspepsia, H. pylori infection and no histological evidence of atrophy were included in the study. A total of 18 patients fulfilled these criteria and completed the study. Four to six weeks after the end of eradication treatment, endoscopy or [(13)C] breath test was performed to check for H. pylori in the gastric mucosa. Halitosis and dyspeptic symptoms were re-evaluated during and at the end of follow-up.

Results: H. pylori infection was eradicated in all patients, in the 14/18 patients (77.8%) with triple drug therapy, and the 4/18 patients (22.2%) with quadruple drug therapy. During the follow-up period (mean 55.8 +/- 21.3 months (range 6-108 months)) resolution of halitosis was observed in 16/18 patients (88.9%), while 2 patients (11.1%) (p < 0.001) continued to present with halitosis. Also, eradication therapy resulted in statistically significant relief of all dyspeptic symptoms, except bloating.

Conclusion: Eradication of H. pylori in patients with functional dyspepsia and halitosis results in sustained resolution of halitosis during long-term follow-up in the majority of cases. This finding supports the existence of a link between H. pylori infection and halitosis and suggests that H. pylori eradication might be considered in patients with halitosis.