Self-reported taste and smell changes during cancer chemotherapy

Purpose This study explores the prevalence of self-reported taste and smell changes (TSCs) during chemotherapy and relationships between TSCs and demographic and clinical factors. Materials and methods Consecutive patients who had received chemotherapy for ≥6 weeks at 11 outpatient chemotherapy unit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Supportive care in cancer 2008-03, Vol.16 (3), p.275-283
Main Authors: Bernhardson, Britt-Marie, Tishelman, Carol, Rutqvist, Lars E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects
Chemotherapy
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Medical research
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Nursing
Nursing Research
Oncology
Original Article
Pain Medicine
Prevalence
Rehabilitation Medicine
Risk Factors
Self Disclosure
Sensation Disorders - chemically induced
Sensation Disorders - epidemiology
Smell - drug effects
Surveys and Questionnaires
Taste - drug effects
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Summary:Purpose This study explores the prevalence of self-reported taste and smell changes (TSCs) during chemotherapy and relationships between TSCs and demographic and clinical factors. Materials and methods Consecutive patients who had received chemotherapy for ≥6 weeks at 11 outpatient chemotherapy units completed a questionnaire developed for this survey. Results Seventy-five percent of the 518 participants reported TSCs, with TSCs more prevalent among women and younger patients. After adjustment for age and sex, we found that patients reporting TSCs more often reported: previous smell changes, less responsibility for cooking, concurrent medication, higher educational levels, and being on sick leave. Participants reporting oral problems, nausea, appetite loss, and depressed mood more frequently reported TSCs. Diagnosis and type of chemotherapy regimen did not predict TSCs. Conclusion TSCs were found to be common during cancer chemotherapy and were related to sociodemographic rather than clinical factors. TSCs were also found to be closely related to many other side effects of chemotherapy.
ISSN:0941-4355
1433-7339
DOI:10.1007/s00520-007-0319-7