Taste function assessed by electrogustometry in burning mouth syndrome: a case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Idiopathic burning mouth syndrome (iBMS) presents as persistent oral pain without identifiable clinical or biological causes.
• Understanding the sensory alterations in iBMS is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare taste function between individuals with iBMS and healthy controls.
• To explore the relationship between taste perception and self-reported pain intensity in iBMS patients.

Main Methods:

• Electrogustometric thresholds (EGMt) were measured at nine tongue loci in 21 iBMS patients and 21 controls.
• Taste function was assessed by evaluating fungiform and foliate gustatory papillae.
• Statistical analysis included the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman correlation, and a significance level of P < 0.05.

Main Results:

• Significantly increased EGMt (impaired taste sensitivity) were observed in iBMS patients on the right dorsum and right lateral sides of the tongue.
• In iBMS patients, pain intensity (VAS scores) correlated significantly with EGMt at the tongue tip and lateral sides.
• These findings indicate altered taste function in specific areas of the tongue in iBMS.

Conclusions:

• Data reveal diminished taste sensitivity in iBMS patients within fungiform and foliate taste bud areas.
• The results support a significant interaction between gustatory pathways and pain perception in the pathophysiology of iBMS.
• This study highlights the role of taste dysfunction in the experience of burning mouth pain.