SUMMARYObjective: This study evaluated the role of patients' associated oral and extra-oral factors, as well as previous dental treatment, as possible predisposing (triggering) factors in the development delusional halitosis. Method: Forty-six patients diagnosed of delusional halitosis, over a consecutive period of 2 years (2003)(2004) were selected for this study. Diagnosis was based on: use of standard halitosis questionnaire (to confirm the presence of psychological component) modified to obtain data on oral and extra-oral factors, as well as previous dental treatment linked by patients as cause of oral malodour; clinical assessment without objective evidence of oral malodour; absence of reliable third party to confirm patients' claim of oral malodour; and screening with sulphur monitor (RH-17 Series Halimeter, Interscan, Chatsworth, CA) that was within normal range (80-140ppb). Results: All the 46 patients studied had normal halimeter measurement and no reliable third party to confirm the patients' claim of oral malodour. Twenty-four (52.2%) patients had associated possible predisposing factors. The most common associated factors were bitter taste (25.0%), oral deposits (20.8%), carious tooth (16.7%) and previous tooth extraction (16.7%). Associated factors were divided into oral, extra-oral and dental treatment. Patients' associated oral factors were significantly correlated as predisposing factors for delusional halitosis (p<0.01) Conclusion: This study shows significant correlation of patients' associated oral factors as the triggering event, which could predispose those individuals who may have underlying psychosomatic tendencies to developing delusional halitosis.

Introduction:The number of deaths due to trauma from road traffic accidents (RTAs), and from the use of firearms either for homicide or armed robbery, ethnic conflicts, and other events, such as flooding, explosions from petroleum products, and religious violence, is on the rise in Nigeria. This preliminary study is a comparative analysis of the frequency of deaths caused by RTAs and the deaths caused by the use of firearms during armed robbery. The study sought to identify the number of traumatic deaths caused by RTAs or armed robbery as well as the number of victims who sustained injuries in the process of RTA or armed robberies.Methods:An indigenous, non-governmental organization (NGO) network was used to abstract data for the frequency of RTAs associated with death or injuries and for deaths caused by armed robberies and was supplemented with data obtained from the Nigerian police.Results:For RTAs, the victims included drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In 3,032 cases of RTAs, the total number of deaths was 1,239 (29.1%): one Nigerian dies for every three to four crashes. The total number of deaths due to RTAs was significantly higher than was the number of deaths due to the use of firearms in commission of robbery.Police reports relative to the use of firearms during armed robberies indicate that of a total of the 652 victims who were killed, 348 (68.1%) were the armed robbers, 134 (26.2%) were bystanders, and 29 (5.7%) were policemen.Conclusions:The enormity of the problems of traumatic deaths from RTAs and armed robberies in a developing country has been highlighted.

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This research confirms that digital breathalyzer BAC levels are reliable and empirical means for determining incidents of alcohol-impaired driving.

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