Longitudinal comparisons of a whole‐mouth taste test to clinician‐rated and patient‐reported outcomes of dysgeusia postradiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer and associations with oral intake

Background After head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, dysgeusia may be a barrier to oral intake. In this exploratory study, we prospectively examined taste perception, clinician‐rated (CRO) and patient‐reported (PRO) taste changes and their effect on oral intake postradiotherapy. Methods Twenty‐eig...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Head & neck 2021-07, Vol.43 (7), p.2159-2177
Main Authors: Messing, Barbara Pisano, Ward, Elizabeth C., Lazarus, Cathy, Ryniak, Keri, Maloney, Jessica, Thompson, Carol B., Kramer, Elizabeth
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Appetite
Chemotherapy
dysgeusia
Head & neck cancer
head and neck cancer
Mouth
oral intake
Taste disorders
Taste perception
treatment
treatment‐related toxicities
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Summary:Background After head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, dysgeusia may be a barrier to oral intake. In this exploratory study, we prospectively examined taste perception, clinician‐rated (CRO) and patient‐reported (PRO) taste changes and their effect on oral intake postradiotherapy. Methods Twenty‐eight patients were assessed at baseline, treatment weeks 2 and 4, and 1, 3, and 6 months post‐treatment using a whole‐mouth taste test and associated CRO and subjective PRO measures. Results Greater taste impairment was reflected by subjective than by a whole‐mouth taste test. The most significant and consistent decline occurred mid‐treatment. The Chemotherapy‐Induced Taste Alteration Scale (PRO) discomfort subscale correlated significantly with maintaining an oral diet, percent of oral intake, and appetite level from mid‐treatment to 6 months post‐treatment. Conclusions PRO results indicated ongoing oral intake issues. Whole‐mouth taste tests may fail to fully reflect functional taste‐loss. Dysgeusia prevention and treatment methods are needed to improve patient outcomes.
ISSN:1043-3074
1097-0347
DOI:10.1002/hed.26690