Assessment of Gustatory Function in Patients of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Case Control Study

Gustation is affected in patients of Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) depending on severity of diseases. This study aimed to find the prevalence of gustatory dysfunction in patients with CRS. This case-control study included 61 patients with CRS and 61 healthy controls. Patients were subjected to non-contrast CT scan of the paranasal sinuses. Disease severity was assessed using the Lund Mackay Scoring. Gustatory assessment was done as per scoring of Mueller et al. Taste score of 9 or more was considered normal. The outcome measures were gustatory dysfunction and association with presence of polyps and CRS severity. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Compared to controls, cases had significantly lower total taste scores (12 vs. 15, P < 0.001). Gustatory dysfunction was seen among 13 (21.3%) patients. It was significantly more among those with polyps than without [8(53.3%) vs. 5(10.9%), P < 0.05]. There was a significant negative correlation between the gustatory dysfunction scores and the severity of CRS (r=-0.664, P < 0.001). In conclusion, we report a prevalence of gustatory dysfunction in 21.3% cases of CRS which was negatively affected by the presence of nasal polyps and CRS severity.