Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>To examine an organoleptic scoring method (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">OLS</jats:styled-content>) whereby the sample is collected by negative pressure in a syringe and is subsequently smelled and rated away from the patient.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Materials and Methods</jats:title><jats:p>Data of 476 patients visiting a specialized halitosis clinic in Leuven (Belgium) were reviewed retrospectively. Organoleptic (with the classic and with the negative‐pressure method) and instrumental (with the Halimeter® and OralChroma<jats:sup>™</jats:sup>) ratings of breath odour were retrieved from patient files together with the final diagnosis. The correlations between the different methods were examined (Spearman correlation coefficient) as well as the positive (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PPV</jats:styled-content>) and negative predictive value (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">NPV</jats:styled-content>), sensitivity and specificity of all methods.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Both methods of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">OLS</jats:styled-content> correlated similarly with the instrumental measurements (Halimeter® and OralChroma<jats:sup>™</jats:sup>). Analysis of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">PPV</jats:styled-content>,<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case"> NPV</jats:styled-content>, sensitivity and specificity of both methods of examination showed that the negative‐pressure method performed best.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>The negative‐pressure method is a valid method for organoleptic scoring of the breath odour and performs as good as the classic organoleptic method.</jats:p></jats:sec>