Gustatory impairment in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation.

Mirza, Natasha; Machtay, Mitchell; Devine, Pamela A; Troxel, Andrea; Abboud, Soo K; Doty, Richard L · Laryngoscope · 2008

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

To determine whether radiation alters taste function and structure. Prospective, longitudinal study. Testing prior to starting radiation, and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after completing radiation. 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). Head and neck cancer patients have decreased taste function, and radiation adversely affected sour taste and taste pores.

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