Gustatory dysfunction perceptions versus objective gustatory dysfunction among older adults

Abstract

Background Research on gustatory dysfunction among older adults has been scarce relative to research on olfactory dysfunction, and the relationship between subjective and objective gustatory dysfunction has not been studied in detail. We aimed to evaluate whether subjective recognition of gustatory dysfunction correlates with objective diagnosis of gustatory dysfunction among older adults. Methods In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we reviewed the medical records of 138 patients of ages ≥ 60 years for whom data were available on self-reported and objectively measured gustatory and olfactory function from January 2018 through April 2021 at a specialized smell/taste center of a single institution. We reviewed self-reported and measured outcomes of gustatory and olfactory function using patient data including clinical characteristics, including age, sex, smoking history, and medical history. Results We found that the subjective recognition of gustatory dysfunction does not correlate with the objective diagnosis of gustatory dysfunction based on the measured results of gustatory function tests. Subjective gustatory dysfunction, however, was correlated with subjective olfactory dysfunction. Among clinical and demographic characteristics, age and sex were significantly associated with measured gustatory function outcomes. Conclusion We suggest that subjective gustatory dysfunction underestimates objective dysfunction and recommend that older men with diminished olfactory function undergo gustatory function testing regardless of their self-reported gustatory function status.

Association of gustatory dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Measured gustatory function through validated tests could be different from patients' subjectively recognized gustatory function (34,35) . The gustatory pathway has been shown to be modulated by sensory input from cranial nerves I and V, and olfaction is an important part of taste (33) .…”

Quantitive Assessment of Gustatory Function and Its Association with Demographics, and Systemic Morbidity

“…For example, Nørgaard et al demonstrated that subjective gustatory dysfunction was poorly correlated with measured gustatory dysfunction [15]. It had been suggested that subjective gustatory dysfunction underestimates objective dysfunction; therefore, it was recommended that, in particular, older men with diminished olfactory function should undergo gustatory function testing regardless of their self-reported gustatory function status [16]. To overcome this limitation, validated tests have been developed as highly sensitive means of assessing taste recognition thresholds in humans [17].…”

Correspondence to the editor regarding “The association of gustatory dysfunction, olfactory dysfunction, and cognition in older adults”

“…In our previous study, we found that the subjective recognition of gustatory dysfunction does not correlate with objective gustatory dysfunction but was correlated with olfactory dysfunction in geriatric patients. 2 Similarly, the olfactory score, rather than the gustatory score, correlated better with patients' self-assessed taste ratings. 5 Gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions are often intermingled; the relationship between subjective gustatory and objective olfactory dysfunctions needs to be evaluated.…”

“…In a previous study, we too have evaluated the relationship between gustatory and olfactory functions in geriatric patients aged ≥60 years. 2 In another study that evaluated gustatory function in the community, participants were divided into young-old (aged 69−71 years) and old-old (aged 79−81 years) groups. 3 As chemosensory dysfunction in geriatric individuals is gaining more attention, if the authors could present their findings in specific geriatric age groups, it could provide greater clinical significance.…”