A study of taste alterations in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with a good glycemic control

Background: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications pose a challenge to healthcare systems today, with a paucity of research examining the impact of T2DM on gustatory functions, especially in India. Aim and Objective: The objective of this study was to assess gustatory function in T2DM patients with good glycemic control and a disease duration ?5 years and compare it with the findings in normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 40, including patients and controls, aged 25–50 years. The Institute’s Ethics Committee clearance was taken, and written informed consent was obtained from the subjects. The evaluation of gustatory function was done using the triple drop test. Different concentrations of tastants were presented to the subjects. Scoring was done on the identification of increasing concentrations from “5” to “1.” Results: Taste scores for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastants were lesser in diabetic patients. This was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Taste impairment seems to affect diabetic patients relative to healthy controls. This could be an indication of central diabetic neuropathy. Hypogeusia in type 2 diabetic patients may influence the choice of nutrients such as an increased preference for sweet-tasting or salty foods, thus imposing health risks and affecting the quality of life.

Salivary pH and Taste Sensitivity among Geriatric and Non-Geriatric Patients in a Tertiary Hospital: A Cross Sectional Study

@#<p><strong>OBJECTIVE: </strong>To evaluate the association of salivary pH and taste sensitivity among geriatric and non-geriatric patients in an otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery out-patient clinic.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong></p><p><strong>Design:           </strong>Cross-Sectional Study</p><p><strong>Setting:           </strong>Tertiary Government Training Hospital</p><p><strong>Participants: </strong>40 otorhinolaryngology out-patients</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Of the 40 patients aged 24 to 92-years-old (mean age 59.8 years), 21 were geriatric and 19 were non-geriatric. The mean salivary pH was 6.66 (range 5 to 8) and 6.63 (range 5 to 7) for geriatric and non-geriatric groups; the difference in mean salivary pH was not statistically significant (p = .87). The salivary pH in the geriatric group showed a negative correlation with age (r=0.06), while the salivary pH in the non-geriatric group had a positive correlation with age (r=0.14). Overall, increases in age among the non-geriatric group were correlated with increase in salivary pH which were not observed in the geriatric patients. In the geriatric group, among the 4 tastants, the strongest correlation between taste sensitivity and salivary pH was observed for quinine followed by sucrose and NaCl, but no correlation for citric acid. In the non-geriatric group, the strongest correlation between taste sensitivity and salivary pH was observed for NaCl, followed by quinine, citric acid and sucrose.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>There was no significant difference between the mean salivary pH of geriatric and non-geriatric patients, and both means were within normal. There was a negative correlation between age and salivary pH in the geriatric group, and a positive correlation in the non-geriatric group.  Salivary pH had the strongest correlation with taste sensitivity for quinine and NaCl among geriatric and non-geriatric participants, respectively, but the reasons for, and significance of this cannot be inferred from the present study.</p><p><strong>KEYWORDS:</strong> salivary pH; taste sensitivity; gustatory function; geriatric</p>

Retro-and orthonasal olfactory function in relation to olfactory bulb volume in patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism / Função olfativa retro e ortonasal em relação ao volume do bulbo olfatório em pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico

Abstract Introduction: Idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism with an olfactory deficit is defined as Kallmann syndrome and is distinct from normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Objective: Because olfactory perception not only consists of orthonasally gained impressions but also involves retronasal olfactory function, in this study we decided to comprehensively evaluate both retronasal and orthonasal olfaction in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Methods: This case-control study included 31 controls and 45 idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism patients. All participants whose olfactory and taste functions were evaluated with orthonasal olfaction (discrimination, identification and threshold), retronasal olfaction, taste function and olfactory bulb volume measurement. The patients were separated into three groups according to orthonasal olfaction: anosmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, hyposmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Results: Discrimination, identification and threshold scores of patients with Kallmann syndrome were significantly lower than controls. Threshold scores of patients with normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. were significantly lower than those of controls, but discrimination and identification scores were not significantly different. Retronasal olfaction was reduced only in the anosmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism group compared to controls. Identification of bitter, sweet, sour, and salty tastes was not significantly different when compared between the anosmic, hyposmic, and normosmic idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism groups and controls. Olfactory bulb volume was lower bilaterally in all patient groups when compared with controls. The olfactory bulb volume of both sides was found to be significantly correlated with threshold, discrimination and identification scores in idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism patients. Conclusion: 1) There were no significant differences in gustatory function between controls and idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism patients; 2) retronasal olfaction was reduced only in anosmic patients but not in orthonasally hyposmic participants, possibly indicating presence of effective compensatory mechanisms; 3) olfactory bulb volumes were highly correlated with olfaction scores in the hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism group. The current results indicate a continuum from anosmia to normosmia in idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism patients.

Resumo Introdução: O hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático com déficit olfatório é definido como síndrome de Kallmann e é distinto de hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático normósmico. Objetivo: Pelo fato de a percepção olfativa não apenas consistir em impressões obtidas ortonasalmente, mas também envolver a função olfativa retronasal, neste estudo decidimos avaliar de maneira abrangente o olfato retronasal e ortonasal em pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático. Método: Este estudo caso-controle incluiu 31 controles e 45 pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático. Todos os participantes tiveram as funções olfativas e de paladar avaliadas com olfação ortonasal (discriminação, identificação e limiar), olfação retronasal, função do paladar e medida do volume do bulbo olfatório. Os pacientes foram separados em três grupos de acordo com a olfação ortonasal: hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático anósmico, hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático hipósmico e hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático normósmico. Resultados: Os escores de discriminação, identificação e limiar de pacientes com síndrome de Kallmann foram significativamente menores do que os controles. Os escores dos limiares de pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático normósmico foram significativamente menores do que os dos controles, mas os escores de discriminação e identificação não foram significativamente diferentes. A olfação retronasal foi reduzida apenas no grupo hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático anósmico em comparação com os controles. A identificação de gostos amargos, doces, azedos e salgados não foi significativamente diferente quando comparada entre os grupos e controles de hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático anósmicos, hipósmicos e normósmicos. O volume do bulbo olfatório foi menor bilateralmente em todos os grupos de pacientes quando comparado com os controles. O volume do bulbo olfatório de ambos os lados foi significativamente correlacionado com os escores de limiar, discriminação, identificação em pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático. Conclusão: 1) Não houve diferenças significativas na função gustativa entre controles e pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático; 2) A olfação retronasal foi reduzida apenas em pacientes anosmáticos, mas não em participantes ortonasalmente hipósmicos, possivelmente indicou presença de mecanismos compensatórios efetivos; 3) Os volumes do bulbo olfatório foram altamente correlacionados com os escores de olfação no grupo hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico. Os resultados atuais indicam um contínuo da anosmia à normosmia em pacientes com hipogonadismo hipogonadotrófico idiopático.