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Alterations in taste acuity associated with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
T Mattsson1, K Arvidson, A Heimdahl
1Department of Oral Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Summary
Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) temporarily impairs taste function, particularly salt perception. Taste acuity generally recovers within a year post-BMT, with most patients regaining normal taste function.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Medicine
- Sensory Neuroscience
- Oncology
Background:
- Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a critical treatment for various hematologic malignancies and other diseases.
- Altered taste perception (dysgeusia) is a reported side effect in cancer patients, but its trajectory post-BMT requires detailed investigation.
- Understanding taste changes after BMT is crucial for improving patient quality of life and nutritional status during recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess taste detection and recognition thresholds in patients following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
- To compare taste acuity changes in BMT patients with a healthy control group.
- To identify specific taste modalities most affected and the timeline for recovery.
Main Methods:
- Taste detection and recognition thresholds for all four basic taste modalities (sweet, sour, salty, bitter) were measured.
- Patients undergoing BMT were monitored for up to one year post-transplantation.
- A control group of 12 healthy volunteers was included for comparison.
- A separate cohort of 10 patients, 2-5 years post-BMT, was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Immediately after BMT, patients exhibited significant hypogeusia (reduced taste sensitivity) across all four taste modalities compared to pre-BMT levels and controls.
- While some normalization occurred 3-6 months post-BMT, dysgeusia persisted in most subjects.
- An elevated threshold for salt taste was the most frequent abnormality observed.
- Approximately 80% of patients showed recovery of taste acuity to control levels by one year after BMT.
- Patients 2-5 years post-BMT demonstrated normal taste acuity.
Conclusions:
- Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation leads to significant, albeit often temporary, taste dysfunction.
- Salt taste perception appears particularly vulnerable following BMT.
- Taste function demonstrates a substantial capacity for recovery within one year post-transplantation.
- Long-term taste acuity is generally restored in patients who have undergone BMT, suggesting successful engraftment and systemic recovery.