A comparison of taste acuity for salt in renal patients vs. normal subjects

In this pilot study, 30 patients with renal disease receiving renal replacement therapy (10 each in the following groups: continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis [CAPD] patients, hemodialysis [HD] patients, and renal transplant recipients) and 10 control subjects were given salt solutions of varying concentrations (0 to 600 mmol/L) and asked to rate them subjectively according to their perceived taste intensity. The mean age in each of the four groups ranged from 31.9 to 34.1 years. No significant differences were found in the ratings of perceived salt intensity among patients and control subjects. On the basis of 3-day food records plus recall of seasonings used, mean intake of sodium was estimated to be higher in CAPD patients and control subjects than in HD and transplant patients (p less than 0.02). Patients on CAPD stated a preference for salty items, whereas control subjects preferred the less salty items despite similar estimated sodium intakes. It thus appears that the ability to perceive various salt tastes may not be impaired in patients on renal replacement therapy. In addition, inappropriate salt intake commonly seen in those patients may be due to increased salt appetite, specifically in those patients managed by CAPD.