| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3167783 | Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology | 2009 | 5 Pages |
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the gustatory function of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and to compare gustatory appreciation on right and left sides of the tongue and soft palate.Study designThe study group was composed of 40 controlled and 40 uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type 2 patients. A group of 40 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were also evaluated. Gustatory function was tested by administering a whole-mouth above-threshold test and spatial taste test using sucrose, sodium chloride (NaCl), citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride solutions. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way ANOVA and Student t test.ResultsTaste impairment was found in the controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients relative to healthy control subjects (P < .0001). A highly significant difference was noticed for sweet (P = .00001) and sour (P = .00002) tastes. For salt taste, a significant difference was found (P = .001). Hypogeusia was reported among 50 (62.5%) of the diabetic patients versus 5 (12.5%) of control subjects (P < .0001). Ageusia to sweet was found in 6 uncontrolled diabetic patients (P < .0001). For almost all 120 subjects, taste sensitivity was found to be equivalent on left and right sides of the tongue and soft palate.ConclusionType 2 diabetic patients had a blunted taste response for sweet followed by sour and salt tastes. This taste abnormality may influence the choice of nutrients, with a preference for sweet-tasting foods, thereby exacerbating hyperglycemia.
