Assessment of the accuracy of portable monitors for halitosis evaluation in subjects without malodor complaint. Are they reliable for clinical practice?

Abstract Halitosis is defined as a foul odor emanated from the oral cavity, with great impact in quality of life and social restraints. Recently, the use of Breath Alert™ in research increased significantly. Halimeter™, another portable device, is often used in clinical practice. Nevertheless, not many studies have verified the accuracy and compared the results of both devices simultaneously. Objective: To verify the accuracy of Breath Alert™ and Halimeter™ in patients without chief complaint of halitosis, using the organoleptic test (OT) as "gold standard." The second aim was to verify whether their concomitant use could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of halitosis. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was performed. The quality of expired air of 34 subjects without chief complaint of halitosis was assessed. Two experienced examiners carried out the OT. Afterward, a third blinded examiner performed Halimeter™ (HT) and Breath Alert™ (BA) tests. Results: The OT identified halitosis in 21 subjects (62%). The area under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.67 (0.48-0.85) and 0.54 (0.34-0.75) for HT and BA, respectively. The accuracy for HT and BA was 59% and 47%, respectively. The combined usage of HT and BA provided 11 positive results, being 9 subjects (43%) out of the total of 21 positive cases. Conclusions: Halimeter™ and Breath Alert™ were not able to diagnose halitosis in non-complainer subjects at the same level as the organoleptic examination, since their accuracy were low. Our results suggest that such portable devices are not reliable tools to assess halitosis and may neglect or misdiagnose a considerable number of patients in clinical practice.

Suicide and suicide attempts by the elderly in film: related factors as shown in feature films / Suicídios e tentativas de suicídio de personagens idosos em filmes: fatores relacionados nos filmes de longa-metragem

Abstract Objective: to analyze cases of suicide and suicide attempts by elderly persons in feature films. Method: a survey of specialized internet cinema portals was carried out. A total of 19 feature films produced between 1950 and 2014 were identified. After the authors watched the films, synopses were written describing the circumstances of the suicide and dialogue that described the profile of the elderly character was transcribed. Results: films that described suicide among the elderly were classified as follows: male gender in 13 films (68%), depression with hopelessness in 12 (63%), existence and efficiency of health services, physical illness and absence of familiar support in ten (for each category) (53%), cognitive rigidity in eight (42%), suicidal thinking in seven (37%), dysfunctional assumptions and a self-perception of negativity in six (32%), problem-solving deficits in five (26%) and a lack of social support in five (26%). Conclusion: the portrayal of suicide among the elderly in films helps to raise awareness of this subject and prevent it. AU

Resumo Objetivo: Analisar os casos de suicídios e tentativas de suicídio em personagens idosos na filmografia de longa metragem. Método: Foi realizada pesquisa em portais especializados em arte cinematográfica sendo identificados 19 filmes de longa metragem, produzidos no período de 1950 a 2014. Após os autores assistirem as obras, foram feitas as sinopses descrevendo a construção suicida e transcritas as citações que retratavam o perfil do personagem idoso. Resultados: Analisados os filmes abordando suicídio em idosos, foram classificados por: gênero masculino em 13 (68%); depressão com desesperança em 12 (63%); existência e eficiência dos serviços de saúde, enfermidade física e ausência de apoio familiar, em 10, cada (53%); rigidez cognitiva em oito (42%); ideação suicida prévia em sete (37%); pressuposições disfuncionais e autoconceito negativo em seis, cada (32%); deficit para a resolução de problemas e ausência de apoio social em cinco, cada (26%). Conclusão: O cinema retratando a temática do suicídio em idosos faz conhecer e discutir o assunto, possivelmente, contribuindo para a prevenção nesse grupo populacional. AU