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Hydrogen-methane breath testing results influenced by oral hygiene
Citation
Erdrich, S and Tan, ECK and Hawrelak, JA and Myers, SP and Harnett, JE, Hydrogen-methane breath testing results influenced by oral hygiene, Scientific Reports, 11 Article 26. ISSN 2045-2322 (2021) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2021 the authors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
DOI: doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79554-x
Abstract
The measurement of hydrogen-methane breath gases is widely used in gastroenterology to evaluate malabsorption syndromes and bacterial overgrowth. Laboratories offering breath testing provide variable guidance regarding oral hygiene practices prior to testing. Given that oral dysbiosis has the potential to cause changes in breath gases, it raises concerns that oral hygiene is not a standard inclusion in current breath testing guidelines. The aim of this study was to determine how a pre-test mouthwash may impact hydrogen-methane breath test results. Participants presenting for breath testing who had elevated baseline gases were given a chlorhexidine mouthwash. If a substantial reduction in expired hydrogen or methane occurred after the mouthwash, breath samples were collected before and after a mouthwash at all breath sample collection points for the duration of testing. Data were evaluated to determine how the mouthwash might influence test results and diagnostic status. In 388 consecutive hydrogen-methane breath tests, modifiable elevations occurred in 24.7%. Administration of a chlorhexidine mouthwash resulted in significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced breath hydrogen in 67% and/or methane gas in 93% of those consenting to inclusion. In some cases, this modified the diagnosis. Mean total gas concentrations pre- and post-mouthwash were 221.0 ppm and 152.1 ppm (p < 0.0001) for hydrogen, and 368.9 ppm and 249.8 ppm (p < 0.0001) for methane. Data suggest that a single mouthwash at baseline has a high probability of returning a false positive diagnosis. Variations in gas production due to oral hygiene practices has significant impacts on test interpretation and the subsequent diagnosis. The role of oral dysbiosis in causing gastrointestinal symptoms also demands exploration as it may be an underlying factor in the presenting condition that was the basis for the referral.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | breath testing procedures, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth diagnostics |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Clinical sciences |
Research Field: | Gastroenterology and hepatology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Diagnosis of human diseases and conditions |
UTAS Author: | Hawrelak, JA (Dr Jason Hawrelak) |
ID Code: | 150497 |
Year Published: | 2021 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 9 |
Deposited By: | Pharmacy |
Deposited On: | 2022-06-17 |
Last Modified: | 2022-09-20 |
Downloads: | 2 View Download Statistics |
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