Systematic review: Validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy of the electrogustometer

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Assessing taste sensation is crucial for diagnosing various medical conditions.
• The electrogustometer (EGM) is a device used to measure taste function.
• Understanding the psychometric properties of the EGM is essential for its clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy of the electrogustometer (EGM) in assessing taste sensation in adults.
• To compare the EGM's performance against established taste testing methods.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on December 20, 2022, across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases.
• Included were randomized controlled trials and observational studies with original data involving adults undergoing electrogustometry.
• Studies were excluded if they lacked analysis of validity, reliability, or diagnostic accuracy.

Main Results:

• Nineteen articles from 18 studies were analyzed, with a high risk of bias noted.
• The association between EGM and reference taste tests was generally moderate to weak (correlation coefficients -0.51 to 0.40).
• Test-retest reliability was good (0.78-1.0), but diagnostic accuracy metrics (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV) varied widely.

Conclusions:

• The included studies lack sufficient methodological rigor to establish the EGM's validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy.
• Further high-quality research is required to validate the EGM's measurement properties.
• The EGM is not recommended as a screening tool for taste disturbances in clinical practice due to current evidence limitations.