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01-12-2021 | Cytostatic Therapy | Original Article

Taste alterations and oral discomfort in patients receiving chemotherapy

Authors: Anne Kathrine Larsen, Christine Thomsen, Mathilde Sanden, Lotte Boa Skadhauge, Camilla Bundgaard Anker, Marie Nerup Mortensen, Wender L. P. Bredie

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Taste alterations (TA) and oral discomfort in cancer patients are neglected side effects of the disease and treatments. They contribute to poor appetite, decrease food intake and affect quality of life, leading to adverse outcomes such as malnutrition and depression. The study aimed to explore TAs in relation to other oral conditions causing discomfort in cancer patients. Additionally, the correlation between patients’ acidity of saliva and experienced TAs and oral discomfort was evaluated.

Methods

A case study including 100 patients diagnosed with cancer receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Data were collected using two questionnaire forms: the Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alteration Scale (CiTAS) and an additional information questionnaire. Saliva samples were collected for each patient and measured with a pocket pH meter. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and comparisons were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis H test, Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results

The prevalence of reported TAs was 93%. Patient age, oral discomfort and swallowing difficulty were found to be significant factors for experienced TAs (p < 0.05). No correlation between patients’ acidity of saliva and reported TAs and oral discomfort was found.

Conclusion

CiTAS proved to be a convenient tool to collect information about TAs in cancer patients. Using the CiTAS tool, a high prevalence (93%) of reported TAs in cancer patients receiving chemo- or immunotherapy was found. CiTAS provides a fast and cheap recognition of symptoms and causes of TAs that can be addressed.

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Title: Taste alterations and oral discomfort in patients receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Anne Kathrine Larsen
Christine Thomsen
Mathilde Sanden
Lotte Boa Skadhauge
Camilla Bundgaard Anker
Marie Nerup Mortensen
Wender L. P. Bredie
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Cytostatic Therapy
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06316-4

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