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Quality of life, taste, olfactory and oral function following high-dose chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Multiple oral complaints develop following high-dose chemo/radiotherapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) which can influence quality of life. The purpose of this investigation was to assess quality of life, oral function, taste and smell in a cohort of patients following HCT. A general quality of life survey (the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)) Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire (QLQ-C30), with an added oral symptom and function scale and assessment of taste and smell was administered to a consecutive series of patients at day 90-100 post HCT. General QOL was impacted by fatigue, affecting physical, social emotional and cognitive function. While oral function scales appeared to be little affected at day 90-100 post HCT, abnormalities of taste were reported. Reports of changes in taste and smell appeared to parallel each other and changes remained at the time of the survey post-HCT. Change in taste appeared to be closely associated with dry mouth. Patients appeared to have difficulty in differentiating sour and bitter, which had been more affected than salt and sweet taste. Females appeared to report greater changes in taste than males. Increased smell sensitivity and taste change resulted in changes in food preparation in some cases, as did reported increase in sensitivity to sour and bitter taste. Acute complications are well known to affect QOL during the early period following HCT, but little assessment of long-term changes in oral QOL and taste has been conducted following transplant. The EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire with the oral addendum provides a measure of the quality of life and oral function, and may provide useful outcome measures for assessment of oral care prevention and management in HCT patients.

Adult↗

A comparison of consistency and taste of five commercial thickeners.

This study presents the results of a blinded test of the performance of five commercial thickners. Experimental variables considered are brand of commercial thickener, type of liquid, desired thickness, and thickening time. Success of outcome is defined by a numerical rating scale comparing the consistency and taste to actual liquid samples. The findings suggest that no one commercial thickener consistently produces a desired consistency or was consistently superior regarding taste. Success in producing certain liquid consistencies and "good taste" varied according to brand, type of liquid, desired thickness, and thickening time used. It is suggested that specific recipes be developed for each brand and liquid to be thickened. Flavorings should be tested to enhance taste.

Deglutition↗

Substitution of natural conditioned and unconditioned stimuli by artificial stimuli does not prevent acquisition of conditioned taste aversion in rats.

Attempts to replace a natural conditioned stimulus (taste) by electrical stimulation and a natural unconditioned stimulus (gastrointestinal disorder) by intracranial application of harmaline in the conditioned taste aversion (CTA) paradigm are described. The taste is replaced either by electrical stimulation of taste receptors of the tongue or by intracranial self-stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus, both triggered by licking. Both stimuli lose their rewarding properties when paired with gastrointestinal distress whereas self-stimulation triggered by nose poking is not affected by the same procedure. The unconditioned stimulus was replaced successfully by intracerebral injection of harmaline hydrochloride. The effect of the injection of 3-6 micrograms harmaline into the region of the inferior olive is comparable to that of systemic injection of 10 mg/kg harmaline. Electrophysiological analysis of the effect of locally and systemically applied harmaline indicates that the drug probably elicits CTA by activation of bulbar structures including the lateral reticular nucleus and lateral vestibular nucleus.

Animals↗

Toxic effects on gustatory function.

A large number of substances and disease processes may impact the sense of taste. Toxic substances may cause taste dysfunction from their effects on the gustatory system from the salivary gland, to the taste bud, to the central neural pathways. A number of external toxins, including industrial compounds, tobacco, and alcohol, may adversely affect taste, most commonly through local effects in the oral cavity. Blood-borne toxins, such as medications and those present in autoimmune and other systemic disorders (e.g. renal or liver failure), have access to all parts of the gustatory system, and thus may exhibit varied effects on taste function. An understanding of these potential toxins and their impact on gustation will help physicians better recognize, and potentially limit the impact of such taste alterations on their patients.

Diabetes Complications↗

Oral lichen planus: a preliminary clinical study on treatment with tazarotene.

OBJECTIVE: The rationale for using tazarotene in oral lichen planus (OLP) is its regulatory action on the growth and differentiation of keratinocytes and on inflammation. This randomized, placebo-controlled study addresses evaluation of the effects of topic tazarotene in the treatment of OLP. DESIGN: The degree of lesions before and after treatment scored by a 6-score scale in six cases treated with tazarotene was statistically compared with those of six controls treated with placebo. SUBJECTS: Twelve patients with hyperkeratosic OLP were randomly allocated to treatment with tazarotene gel 0.1% b.i.d. or with placebo for eight consecutive weeks. METHODS: The statistical comparison was executed by means of Wilcoxon analysis for paired data. RESULTS: Patients treated with tazarotene presented a significant reduction of their lesions as compared with the control group. Among transitory side-effects, burning sensation and taste abnormalities were observed. CONCLUSION: Topical tazarotene may be a valuable therapeutic tool in the treatment of hyperkeratotic OLP.

Administration, Topical↗

Literacy and perceived barriers to medication taking among homeless mothers and their children.

PURPOSE: The relation of medical literacy to women-reported barriers to taking medication themselves or giving medication to their children was studied. METHODS: Women in 18 homeless shelters in four counties in central North Carolina were recruited. Head-of-household homeless mothers with psychiatric or substance-abuse disorders and dependent children were eligible to participate. Trained interviewers administered a site-specific questionnaire on medication use. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-four homeless women participated. Forty-two percent of the women were currently taking a medication. Forty-six percent of the women stated that there was a barrier to taking their medications as prescribed. Medical literacy was not significantly related to whether women felt there were barriers to taking a medication. Seventy-five percent of the women reported having one or more children living with them. Thirty-seven percent reported having a child with asthma live with them, and 12% reported having a child with attention-deficit disorder. Forty percent reported a barrier to giving their child a needed medication. Taste was the most commonly reported barrier. Women with lower medical literacy and younger women were significantly more likely to report a barrier to giving their children a needed medication. Over 80% of women listed pharmacists as their first or second choice for receiving drug information orally. CONCLUSION: Race and perceived barriers to medication use affected the medication-taking behavior of homeless women, while their age and literacy level affected the reporting rates of the barriers to medication use for their children. Homeless women preferred receiving both written and oral drug information from a physician or a pharmacist.

Adult↗

A growth-limiting, mild zinc-deficiency syndrome in some southern Ontario boys with low height percentiles.

A double-blind, pair-matched 12-mo study examined the effects of a zinc supplement (10 mg Zn/d as ZnSO4) on linear growth, taste acuity, attention span, biochemical indices, and energy intakes of 60 boys (aged 5-7 y) with height less than or equal to 15th and midparent height greater than 25th percentiles. Boys with initial hair Zn less than 1.68 mumol/g (n = 16) had a lower mean (+/- SD) weight-for-age Z score (-0.44 +/- 0.59 vs -0.08 +/- 0.84), and a higher median recognition threshold for salt (15 vs 7.5 mmol; p = 0.02) than those with hair Zn greater than 1.68 mumol/g. Only boys with hair Zn less than 1.68 mumol/g responded to the Zn supplement with a higher mean change in height-for-age Z score (p less than 0.05); taste acuity, energy intakes, and attention span were unaffected. A growth-limiting Zn deficiency syndrome exists in boys with low height percentiles, hair Zn levels less than 1.68 mumol/g, and impaired taste acuity.

Body Height↗

Smell and taste in children with simple obesity.

In 30 children, aged 10-16 years and suffering from simple obesity, significantly lowered odour detection thresholds were noted. The thresholds were lower than the average for a given age group in around 20% of obese children in cases of odours stimulating olfactory nerve and in around 57% in cases of substances stimulating olfactory and trigeminal nerves. Odour identification thresholds were similarly affected, with identification of olfactory nerve plus trigeminal nerve stimulating odours affected more than twice as frequently. In 77% cases also the electrogustometric thresholds were found below the normal range values when anode was used as the stimulating electrode. The detected alterations may be linked to metabolic disturbances, which accompany simple obesity.

Adolescent↗

[Characteristics and mechanisms of tumor anorexia].

Tumor anorexia can be defined as a continuous reduction in dietary intake with a steadily increased cost of energy of the organism. A possible basis for this nutritional imbalance during the course of the illness is provided by metabolic dysfunction, changes in taste, neuroendocrine alterations and behavioral factors. At the present time no uniform explanation exists, thus only adjuvant therapeutic strategies can be deducted.

Anorexia↗

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): evaluation of thyroid and taste.

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic, intraoral burning sensation seen mainly in middle-aged and post-menopausal females, without identifiable oral lesions or abnormal laboratory findings, but often associated with psychogenic disorders such as depression. The latter can have a range of causes, including hormonal. OBJECTIVE: Since there may be connections between BMS, psychogenic changes, hormonal changes and taste abnormalities, we have examined aspects of taste and thyroid function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected 50 patients with BMS (study group) and 50 healthy subjects (control group) and analysed their ability to taste bitter, acid and spicy substances and analysed their thyroid function and Undertook thyroid echography. RESULTS: Taste sensation was normal in all controls. However, 30 of the patients with BMS reported ageusia for bitter taste and 2 had ageusia for acid. The use of pepper sauce (Tabasco) (spicy substance) produced a strong burning to the tongue in 28 patients of the BMS group but only in 10 controls. No control patients showed abnormality of thyroid function or echograpic abnormality. Five patients in the BMS group had biochemical evidence of hypothyroidism, 4 patients had raised levels of thyroid auto-antibodies and, of the 41 remaining BMS patients, most (34) had thyroid echographic changes indicative of nodularity. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothyroidism may be responsible for a negative influence on taste and consequent increase in trigeminal sensorial sensation (tactile, thermal and painful sensation).

Burning Mouth Syndrome↗

A double blind study of the effects of zinc sulfate on taste and smell dysfunction.

A randomized, double blind crossover study of the effects of zinc sulfate and placebo was carried out in 106 patients with taste and smell dysfunction secondary to a variety of etiological factors. In the patient group prior to treatment, mean serum zinc concentration and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly lower than normal. Results indicate that zinc sulfate was effectively equivalent to placebo in the treatment of these disorders. Although these results demonstrate abnormalities of zinc metabolism in some patients with taste and smell dysfunction they fail to provide evidence for a single, therapeutic approach to the many disorders which are associated with abnormalities of taste and smell. However, the methods and procedures developed in this study demonstrate that taste and smell dysfunction can be studied in a quantitative, systematic manner.

Adult↗

Acute and subacute symptoms among workers in the printing industry.

The study population comprised 52 male printers and 52 controls. Each person was interviewed about job history, general health, and work-related symptoms. Symptoms from eyes and airways, neurological symptoms, and general symptoms were recorded. A lung function test and a measurement of the sense of smell were also carried out. The printers had significantly more eye, airway, and neurological symptoms than the controls; the main complaints being irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and a reduced sense of taste. The neurological symptoms were disorders of vision, vertigo, feeling of intoxication, and headache. Furthermore, abdominal pain and flatulence occurred more often among the printers. The symptoms showed no relation to age or job seniority, but neurological and general symptoms were related to shift work. No difference in lung function was found between the two groups. The printers had a slightly lower threshold of smell than the controls. Although the total load due to organic solvents and dust in the air was far below legal limits, the number of magnitude of symptoms experienced by the printers exceeded what is supposed when norms for workroom exposure are set. It is suggested that either the irritative effects of solvents are underestimated or the assumption of additive effects when great numbers of solvents are found does not hold true. A reduction of the number of solvents by eliminating the most toxic solvents or by using dyes without solvents is suggested.

Adult↗

Treatment of idiopathic gustatory rhinorrhea by resection of the posterior nasal nerve.

We herein describe a case of 44-year old female who presented with a chief complaint of gustatory rhinorrhea from childhood, in which gustatory stimuli caused bilateral excessive, watery nasal secretion. No abnormality of taste acuity was observed. This disorder was presumably caused by faulty regenerated parasympathetic nerve fibers reaching the nasal mucosa or possibly, by a congenital condition. Nasal pretreatment with an anti-cholinergic drug clinically blocked the positive sugar-induced rhinorrhea, thus indicating that the gustatory rhinitis in this case was produced by foods that stimulate muscarinic receptors sensitive to atropine (probably on submucosal nasal glands). Although this syndrome can be treated prophylactically by the use of topical atropine, the patient preferred to undergo radical therapy and a resection of the posterior nasal nerve was performed through the middle meatus under endoscopic control. The resection of the nerve on both sides resulted in an almost complete inhibition of the sugar-induced rhinorrhea without serious complications. Although this disease is not life-threatening, it is socially embarrassing and troublesome to patients and surgical therapy is one of the accepted modalities.

Adult↗

Zinc supplementation in chronic renal failure.

Zinc deficiency, abnormal taste acuity and decreased caloric intake begin early in children and adolescents with chronic progressive renal disease. This may contribute to their poor growth. We studied the effect of zinc supplementation, using a double blind crossover design, on 14 pediatric patients in chronic renal failure, but not yet on dialysis or in need of a transplant. Zinc supplementation increased red blood cell zinc concentrations and taste acuity. In those with less advanced renal failure (serum creatinine less than 5.0 mg/dl) it also improved caloric intake. No changes in growth velocity were seen, however, during the six months of zinc supplementation.

Adolescent↗

Age, gender, medical treatment, and medication effects on smell identification.

Olfactory function diminishes with increasing age, which may impact on the safety and quality of life of older persons. This study examined the influence of age, gender, medical treatment, and medications on smell identification in a group of generally healthy individuals. Males (n = 221) and females (n = 166) between the ages of 19 and 95 years, from the oral physiology component of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test [UPSIT; (1)]. Older subjects had lower UPSIT scores, were more likely to be anosmic, and more often complained about their sense of smell and taste compared to younger subjects. Females had higher UPSIT scores compared to males. Although these age and gender effects are comparable to previous findings, performance among all subjects was superior to other studies; this is attributable, in part, to the overall healthy status of the population. Subjects being treated for medical problems and taking prescription medications had slightly lower UPSIT scores and more smell and taste complaints compared to other subjects, but these findings did not achieve statistical significance. Results suggest that age-related declines in olfaction occur as a part of the normal physiological aging process.

Adult↗

Use of medications with potential oral adverse drug reactions in community-dwelling elderly.

Prevalence and indicators of medication use with potential oral health implications among 4,163 people from the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly were studied. Medications were grouped into seven potential oral adverse drug reaction (POADR) categories. Eighty percent of participants were taking at least one medication from any of the seven categories. Drugs with the potential to cause xerostomia were taken by 56.1%, abnormal hemostasis by 51.7%, soft tissue reactions by 23.4%, taste changes by 11.0%, alteration in host resistance by 8.7%, gingival overgrowth by 5.0%, and movement disorders by 2.4% of participants. Race-stratified analyses revealed that medication use with any POADR was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with being female for both races. Among nonblacks, being > or = 75 years old was associated with higher POADR use. Blacks who had a dental visit in the previous six months were more likely to take medications with POADR than those who did not. POADR medication use was not related to place of residence. Elderly often take medications with potential oral health impact.

Black or African American↗