Evaluation of gustatory function in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Received 10 March 2009; received in revised form 27 July 2009; accepted 10 August 2009.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the gustatory function of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and to compare gustatory appreciation on right and left sides of the tongue and soft palate.
Study design
The study group was composed of 40 controlled and 40 uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type 2 patients. A group of 40 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were also evaluated. Gustatory function was tested by administering a whole-mouth above-threshold test and spatial taste test using sucrose, sodium chloride (NaCl), citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride solutions. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way ANOVA and Student t test.
Results
Taste impairment was found in the controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients relative to healthy control subjects (P < .0001). A highly significant difference was noticed for sweet (P = .00001) and sour (P = .00002) tastes. For salt taste, a significant difference was found (P = .001). Hypogeusia was reported among 50 (62.5%) of the diabetic patients versus 5 (12.5%) of control subjects (P < .0001). Ageusia to sweet was found in 6 uncontrolled diabetic patients (P < .0001). For almost all 120 subjects, taste sensitivity was found to be equivalent on left and right sides of the tongue and soft palate.
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetic patients had a blunted taste response for sweet followed by sour and salt tastes. This taste abnormality may influence the choice of nutrients, with a preference for sweet-tasting foods, thereby exacerbating hyperglycemia.
aAssistant Professor, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Medicine and Radiology, K.M. Shah Dental College and Hospital, Piparia, Tal. Waghodia, Dist. Vadodara. Pin.-391760 Gujarat, India
bProfessor, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Medicine and Radiology, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India
cProfessor and Head, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Medicine and Radiology, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DMIMS), Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India
Reprint requests: Shailesh M. Gondivkar, MDS, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Diagnosis, Medicine and Radiology, K.M. Shah Dental College and Hospital, Piparia, Tal. Waghodia, Dist. Vadodara. Pin.- 391760, Gujarat, India
ABSTRACT