Possible relation between phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity and goitre

ABSTRACT

The ability or inability to taste the bitterness of phenylthiocarbamide [PTC] is a classic inherited trait that has been studied in relation to various diseases. This study was carried out to find out any possible association between PTC-taste sensitivity and goitre. A total number of 471 subjects were studied. Among them 224 subjects were normal, healthy adults, taken as control and 247 were patients of goitre coming to Nishtar Hospital Multan for treatment. A 0.5% solution of PTC was freshly prepared. A drop of PTC Wution was placed on the dorsum of the tongue and the person was asked to state the taste perceived. Person was asked to spit out the chemical and rinse the mouth with water afterwards. Patients of goitre were clinically diagnosed by inspection and palpation method out of 224 normal healthy adults, 18.3% were non-tasters to PTC. Among 247 patients of goitre 36.84% were non-tasters to PTC. Number of non-tasters was highly significantly [P0 < 001] increased in the goitre patients as compared with the normal subjects. Percentage of non-tasters was non-significantly increased among male patients of goitre as compared with the normal subjects. Among female population, 10.88% of normal healthy females were non-taster to PTC and 37.37% of females having goitres were found to be non-tasters to PTC. Difference was highly significant [P0 < .001]. Female non-tasters to PTC are more prone to develop goitre as compared with the normal healthy females. PTC non-taster status is a vulnerability marker for females