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In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2023Dysgeusia, one of the adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy, and anorexia due to taste disorder can significantly impair the quality of life of patients. However, an...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Dysgeusia, one of the adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy, and anorexia due to taste disorder can significantly impair the quality of life of patients. However, an evaluation method for dysgeusia has not yet been established. The present prospective study aimed to utilize a combination of subjective and objective assessment methods to evaluate dysgeusia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer initiating chemotherapy, to determine chemotherapeutic drugs and regimens causing dysgeusia, and to assess whether dysgeusia was associated with zinc deficiency.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 21 patients with newly diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer were registered between August 2020 to March 2021. The following regimens were also included in the evaluation if the patients did not develop dysgeusia. A total 30 regimens were administered to the patients during the study period. A salt-impregnated test paper (Salsave) was used as a subjective assessment, and the chemotherapy-induced taste alteration scale was used as an objective assessment.
RESULTS
Based on physician interviews, dysgeusia was diagnosed in 8 of 21 patients (38%) treated with 8 of 30 regimens (27%). All regimens that resulted in dysgeusia contained platinum-based drugs. The patients who developed dysgeusia had higher controlling nutritional status scores at the start of chemotherapy compared to those who did not develop dysgeusia. In both subjective and objective assessments, the patients with dysgeusia performed significantly worse than those without dysgeusia. Six of the eight patients who developed dysgeusia were administered Novelzine, which did not improve the taste disorder despite the improvement of serum zinc levels.
CONCLUSION
The combined approach using subjective and objective taste assessment methods was useful in assessing chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia. Mechanisms other than hypozincemia should be considered as contributors to taste disorders caused by platinum-based drugs.
Topics: Humans; Dysgeusia; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; Prospective Studies; Antineoplastic Agents; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Taste Disorders; Zinc
PubMed: 37369461
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13283 -
Medical Hypotheses Nov 2020Atypical dysgeusia such as having the sensation of a sweet tooth is an uncommon clinical presentation in severe depression. First, we present the case of a...
Atypical dysgeusia such as having the sensation of a sweet tooth is an uncommon clinical presentation in severe depression. First, we present the case of a 67 year-old-man admitted to the psychiatric ward for depression after a suicide attempt by drug ingestion. The patient manifested a sweet taste sensation in the upper and lower gums that increased with mood swings and notably with severe depressive symptoms. Blood tests showed an elevated serum creatinine level (115 μmol/L), a normocytic anemia (hemoglobin 6.5 mmol/L; MCV 96 fL) and a deficit in vitamin B12 (122.4 pmol/L). The patient received vitamin B12 supplementation and was treated with clomipramine, lithium, mirtazapine, modafinil, and olanzapine. He was discharged after improvement of his depressive symptoms and decrease in the sweet taste. On follow-up, the patient's dysgeusia had subsided. Second, we hypothesize that the atypical dysgeusia may have been induced by vitamin B12 deficiency and medical comorbidities, leading to deafferentation (development of erroneous mouth mucosae sensations felt by the patient). This could have been increased by depression. Dysgeusia in elederly patients with depression should be extensively investigated in order to elucidate somatic contributing factors but it may not resolve until improvement of the depressive symptoms.
Topics: Aged; Anemia; Depression; Dysgeusia; Humans; Male; Olanzapine; Vitamin B 12
PubMed: 32758885
DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110047 -
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of... Feb 2015
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Dysgeusia; Humans; Neoplasms; Quality of Life
PubMed: 25831808
DOI: No ID Found -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2006To describe an individual with cholesteatoma whose sole presenting symptom was dysgeusia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an individual with cholesteatoma whose sole presenting symptom was dysgeusia.
STUDY DESIGN
Case report.
METHOD
A retrospective review of an individual presenting with dysgeusia without any hearing loss, otorrhea, or imbalance who was found to have chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma.
RESULT
Surgical exploration confirmed the presence of cholesteatoma and identified an intact but attenuated chorda tympani nerve. The dysgeusia persisted after surgery.
CONCLUSION
The anatomical course of the chorda tympani and the usual routes of expansion of cholesteatoma sacs indicates a higher incidence of dysgeusia with cholesteatoma. Further elucidation is necessary to determine the true incidence of this complaint with cholesteatoma.
Topics: Adult; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear; Chorda Tympani Nerve; Chronic Disease; Dysgeusia; Humans; Male; Otitis Media; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 16935184
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2005.11.020 -
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Mar 2022Dysgeusia and anosmia have been liked to COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study is to study the prevalence of dysgeusia and anosmia in COVID-19 patients treated at...
PURPOSE
Dysgeusia and anosmia have been liked to COVID-19 infection. The aim of this study is to study the prevalence of dysgeusia and anosmia in COVID-19 patients treated at the University of Florida Health Center and establish the odds of having an olfactory and gustatory disorder with a confirmed COVID-19 infection.
METHODS
This is a retrospective cross-sectional study utilizing the University of Florida Health Center patients' registry i2b2 platform to search for ICD 10 diagnoses of COVID-19 infection and taste and smell disturbances. We assessed the odds ratio for patients with dysgeusia and anosmia having a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection using a logistic regression model adjusting for gender, race, age, and comorbidity conditions. P < 0.05 was deemed significant.
RESULTS
Out of 889 individuals that tested positive for COVID-19, 12.88% were diagnosed with taste and smell disturbances. The odds ratio for COVID-19 for people with dysgeusia and anosmia was 39.107. After adjusting for sex, age, and race, it was 41.9, 37, and 34.2, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Taste and smell disturbances in COVID-19 are not anecdotal. It is paramount that oral and maxillofacial surgeons include taste and smell disturbances in the history and physical examination as these symptoms are suspicious of active COVID-19 infection. Patients presenting with an olfactory and gustatory disorder should undergo further evaluations for COVID-19 infection and oral and maxillofacial surgeons should enhance the personal protective equipment used when treating these patients to prevent further spread of the infection and protect other healthcare members.
Topics: Anosmia; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dysgeusia; Humans; Olfaction Disorders; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Pandemics; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33954852
DOI: 10.1007/s10006-021-00965-9 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Dec 2023In recent years, various immunotherapies have improved the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, there remains an unmet need for novel agents....
PURPOSE
In recent years, various immunotherapies have improved the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, there remains an unmet need for novel agents. Talquetamab is the first-in-class GPRC5D-targeting T-cell redirecting bispecific antibody, which has substantial activity in advanced MM. Rapidly after the start of talquetamab treatment, patients reported taste changes (dysgeusia; 60% of patients), and a feeling of dry mouth (xerostomia; 30-57% of patients), which may be related to expression of the target antigen in healthy tissues, such as taste buds. Here, we aimed at better characterizing these oral toxicities.
METHODS
We measured salivary flow and the ability to taste (objectively and patient-reported), assessed the feeling of dry mouth, and evaluated quality of life before and 8 weeks after the start of talquetamab therapy in eight heavily pretreated MM patients.
RESULTS
Talquetamab treatment led to the rapid and significant decrease in objectively measured taste scores (total score 8.8 ± 2.0 vs 4.9 ± 2.5). All patients reported moderate to severe taste changes. Moreover, patients experienced severe xerostomia after the initiation of talquetamab treatment, in the absence of changes in unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow. Because of these oral toxicities a significant impairment in global health status/(oral health related) quality of life was reported.
CONCLUSION
Studying taste changes in patients treated with talquetamab following up on the described leads provides a new and unique opportunity to further unravel the pathophysiology of taste changes after cancer treatment.
Topics: Humans; Dysgeusia; Quality of Life; Multiple Myeloma; Xerostomia; T-Lymphocytes; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
PubMed: 38092979
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08233-0 -
BMJ Open Mar 2023Dysgeusia is a common side effect of chemotherapy in patients with cancer, but to date, there is no effective treatment. Many patients with cancer request complementary...
INTRODUCTION
Dysgeusia is a common side effect of chemotherapy in patients with cancer, but to date, there is no effective treatment. Many patients with cancer request complementary medicine treatment in addition to their cancer treatments, and acupuncture is highly accepted for patients with cancer; however, evidence regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture for dysgeusia is scarce.The study investigates the effectiveness of an additional dysgeusia-specific acupuncture plus self-acupressure intervention compared with supportive acupuncture plus self-acupressure intervention alone for chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia in patients with cancer.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This is a multicentre, randomised, controlled and two-armed parallel-group, single-blind trial involving 130 patients. Both groups will receive eight sessions of acupuncture treatment over a period of 8 weeks and will be trained to perform self-acupressure (eLearning combined with therapist instruction) at predefined acupressure points once a day during the whole treatment period. Patients in the control group will receive supportive routine care acupuncture and self-acupressure treatment only; in addition to this treatment, the intervention group will receive the dysgeusia-specific acupuncture and acupressure within the same treatment session. The primary outcome is the perceived dysgeusia over 8 weeks, measured weekly after the acupuncture treatment. Secondary outcomes include the indices from the objective taste and smell test, weight loss, perceived dysgeusia, fatigue, distress, nausea and vomiting, odynophagia, xerostomia and polyneuropathy, as well as quality of life at the different time points.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study has been approved by the Cantonal Ethics Committee (CEC) (Kanton Zürich Kantonale Ethikkommission) (approval no. KEK-ZH-Nr. 2020-01900). The results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS
DRKS00023348, SNCTP000004128.
Topics: Humans; Dysgeusia; Quality of Life; Single-Blind Method; Acupuncture Therapy; Acupressure; Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Antineoplastic Agents; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Multicenter Studies as Topic
PubMed: 36898749
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066137 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Jun 2022Dysgeusia is an adverse event caused by chemotherapy. Although retrospective studies have shown zinc administration improves dysgeusia, there have been no prospective... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
Dysgeusia is an adverse event caused by chemotherapy. Although retrospective studies have shown zinc administration improves dysgeusia, there have been no prospective studies. The present study examined effects of zinc therapy on dysgeusia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
METHODS
This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with dysgeusia during chemotherapy treatment. Patients received no intervention (control), polaprezinc p.o., or zinc acetate hydrate p.o., and serum zinc levels were measured at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks. Dysgeusia was assessed using CTCAE v5.0 and subjective total taste acuity (STTA) criteria using questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks.
RESULTS
From February 2020 to June 2021, 180 patients were enrolled from 17 institutes. There were no differences in mean baseline serum zinc levels among the groups (67.3, 66.6, and 67.5 μg/dL in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. P = 0.846). The changes in mean serum zinc levels after 12 weeks were - 3.8, + 14.3, and + 46.6 μg/dL, and the efficacy rates of dysgeusia were 33.3%, 36.8%, and 34.6% using CTCAE and 33.3%, 52.6%, 32.7% using STTA in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. The STTA scores improved in all groups, with significant improvement observed in the polaprezinc group compared with the no intervention group (P = 0.045).
CONCLUSION
There was no significant correlation between the degree of serum zinc elevation and improvement in dysgeusia, suggesting that polaprezinc, but not zinc acetate hydrate, was effective in improving chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
UMIN000039653. Date of registration: March 2, 2020.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Dysgeusia; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Zinc; Zinc Acetate
PubMed: 35292848
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06936-4 -
Brain Stimulation 2022
Topics: Deep Brain Stimulation; Dysgeusia; Essential Tremor; Humans; Thalamus; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35483590
DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.04.016 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Jan 2022This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for transchemotherapy dysgeusia.
PURPOSE
This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for transchemotherapy dysgeusia.
METHODS
Before each chemotherapy cycle, patients were routinely evaluated for the presence/severity of dysgeusia based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 scale for adverse effects and graded as follows: 0, no change in taste; 1, altered taste with no impact on eating habits; or 2, altered taste with an impact on eating habits. Information from 2 years of evaluations was collected and patient medical records were reviewed to obtain data on chemotherapy cycle, sex, age, body mass index, body surface area, primary tumor, chemotherapy protocol, and history of head and neck radiotherapy. The X test and multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05).
RESULTS
Among 7425 total patients, 3047, 2447, and 1931 were evaluated after the first, second, and third chemotherapy cycles, respectively. One-fifth of the patients (19.0%) presented a significant loss of taste, with 1118 (15.0%) showing grade 1 dysgeusia and 442 (6.0%) showing grade 2 dysgeusia. The chemotherapy duration (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), location of the primary tumor in the uterus (p = 0.008), head and neck (p = 0.012), and testicles (p = 0.011), and use of ifosfamide (p = 0.009), docetaxel (p = 0.001), paclitaxel (p < 0.001), pertuzumab (p = 0.005), bevacizumab (p < 0.001), and dacarbazine (p = 0.002) independently increased the risk of dysgeusia. In head and neck tumors, a previous history of radiotherapy significantly increased the prevalence of dysgeusia (p = 0.017), and the use of cisplatin (p = 0.001) increased this prevalence.
CONCLUSION
Cycles of chemotherapy, sex, uterine cancer, head and neck tumors, testicular cancer, ifosfamide, docetaxel, paclitaxel, pertuzumab, bevacizumab, and dacarbazine increase the risk of dysgeusia.
Topics: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dysgeusia; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Testicular Neoplasms
PubMed: 34283319
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06219-4