Association of oral toxicity and taste changes during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to characterize the taste changes and taste bud atrophy observed in the period of neutropenia of HCT and to determine the influence of transplantation toxicity on these changes.

Autologous and allogeneic HCT patients (n = 51) were selected to perform taste acuity tests prior to conditioning (T0) and during neutropenia (T1). The frequency and time duration of oral mucositis, presence of tongue depapillation, and salivary flow rate were also evaluated. Quality of life was assessed using specific questionnaires.

We observed a significant increase in hypogeusia (66.6%, p = 0.001) and dysgeusia (21.4%, p = 0.013) at T1, compared with T0. Bitter taste was the most altered, mainly when the patient underwent conditioning with melphalan (OR = 4.47, p = 0.049). Prolonged oral mucositis (≥ 8 days) (OR = 5.62, p = 0.039) and autologous transplantation (OR = 4.08, p = 0.033) were predictive factors for tongue depapillation. Changes in sour taste (OR = 10.70, p = 0.045) and reduced salivary flow (OR = 21.00, p = 0.013) were associated to body weight loss at T1. Taste changes significantly reduced the quality of life at T1, compared with T0.

Frequency of hypogeusia was high in the neutropenia period of the HCT. None of the taste changes was determined by oral mucositis, tongue depapillation, or reduced salivary flow, but melphalan conditioning reduced the bitter taste sensation. Loss of body weight and poor quality of life were associated with taste changes and reduced salivary flow. Further studies are necessary to elucidate this association and the risk factors for taste changes in HCT.