Impaired Gustation in Liver Diseases: A Comprehensive Narrative Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a growing global health concern, strongly linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
• Taste perception is crucial for appetite regulation, nutrition, and influences the progression of various liver conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing evidence on taste disorders in liver diseases.
• To explore the clinical implications of taste disturbances in patients with liver conditions, particularly MASLD.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of scientific literature was performed.
• Databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Research Gate using relevant MeSH terms.

Main Results:

• Taste disturbances are reported across diverse liver diseases including viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and MASLD.
• Dysgeusia in MASLD is associated with reduced appetite, sarcopenia, malnutrition, altered food preferences, and increased obesity risk.
• Zinc deficiency emerged as a consistent contributing factor, while GLP-1 receptor modulators show therapeutic promise.

Conclusions:

• Taste disorders are prevalent yet under-recognized in liver disease populations.
• Further research is needed to clarify the causes, prevalence, and clinical impact of taste disorders, especially concerning nutrient deficiencies and medications.
• Investigating molecular pathways like GLP-1 receptors is crucial for understanding and managing taste alterations in liver diseases.