Methods: Self reported experience of bad breath and/or unpleasant taste was recorded from 125 self-administered health history records using a 3-point scale. pSS (N=70, 2 Males, 68 Females), known Sjögren's syndrome patients who have xerostomia, were compared to self proclaimed healthy (N=55, 30 males, 25 females), non-medicated population. Females were compared separately as they comprised the overwhelming majority (97%) of the pSS sample.
Results: The pSS (mean 57.83 +/- 12.61, range 26-86 years) and HC (mean age 33.78 +/- 14.09, range 18 -70 years old) were compared. The prevalence of self-perceived bad breath and/or unpleasant taste was 63.4% among the pSS and 34.54% among the HC. Groups differed significantly (p=.002) on the prevalence of self-assessed chronic bad breath. Of the healthy females, 40% experienced bad breath and/or unpleasant taste, significantly (p=.043) less than pSS Females.
Conclusion: Xerostomics had a significantly higher prevalence of perceived bad breath and/or unpleasant taste in their mouth compared to healthy controls. Further research is needed to determine relationships between salivation, breath perception and malodor. This study is funded by Proctor and Gamble.