Gustatory impairment in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation

Natasha Mirza, Mitchell Machtay, Pamela A. Devine, Andrea Troxel, Soo K. Abboud, Richard L. Doty

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether radiation alters taste function and structure. RESEARCH DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal study. METHODOLOGY: Testing prior to starting radiation, and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after completing radiation. RESULTS: Relative to controls, patients had lower taste identification test scores for bitter, salty, and sour tastes. Sour taste also showed a significant group-by-time interaction (P = .03). Taste pores were decreased in the irradiated group, with a significant group-by-time interaction (P = .03). CONCLUSION: Head and neck cancer patients have decreased taste function, and radiation adversely affected sour taste and taste pores.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)24-31
Number of pages8
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume118
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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