title: Dysgeusia and health-related quality of life of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: A cross-sectional study.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate taste disorders in patients receiving chemotherapy and to assess the impact of dysgeusia on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A total of 289 patients with a diagnosis of malignant solid or haematological cancer undergoing chemotherapy completed a questionnaire assessing dysgeusia and HRQOL. Sixty-four per cent of patients developed dysgeusia after and during chemotherapy. A statistically significant correlation was found between type of cancer and dysgeusia (p = .012), moreover a statistically significant association was found between type of chemotherapy and occurrence of dysgeusia (p = .031). Patients with dysgeusia had a worse overall HRQOL than those who did not have dysgeusia, and the association between HRQOL and dysgeusia was also statistically significant (p = .003). Patients with dysgeusia had a higher probability of having a worse HRQOL (p = .002). In line with previous studies, we observed a significant correlation between chemotherapy and dysgeusia. Furthermore, this study found that cancer patients with dysgeusia have a lower quality of life. In particular the domains "role," "social aspect," "nausea-vomiting" and "appetite" are most influenced by dysgeusia. Improving the communication and information to patients considered at higher risk of developing dysgeusia can have a positive impact on patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ponticelli
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clari
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frigerio
authors.affiliation: ASL TO5, Chieri (TO), Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Clemente
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bergese
authors.affiliation: Cottolengo Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scavino
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernardini
authors.affiliation: Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sacerdote
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069286:Bortezomib / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004408:Dysgeusia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017671:Platinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012380:Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids / Q000009:adverse effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D017671:Platinum Compounds; D043823:Taxoids; D014748:Vinca Alkaloids; D000069286:Bortezomib
keywords: chemotherapy; dysgeusia; haematological cancer; health-related quality of life; oral complications; taste disorders