A Clinical Comparative Study with Evaluation of Gustatory Function Among Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients, Gutka Chewers, Chronic Smokers and Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Context: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating disease with significant malignant potential. The most common symptoms of the condition include burning sensation, trismus, swallowing, and speech impairment as well as gustatory alteration. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of gustatory functions in oral submucous fibrosis patients, gutka chewers, chronic smokers and healthy individuals. Methods and Material: A total of 112 individuals were selected for the study and divided into four groups of 28 participants, each comprising OSMF patients, gutka chewers, chronic smokers with gutka-chewing habits, and healthy individuals. Each participant was assessed for gustatory function using four different tastants for sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, and the taste perception was recorded as hypogeusia, hypergeusia, dysgeusia, and ageusia. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS software version 26. A comparison between the four groups was made separately for the four different tastes and the five parameters. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: For OSMF patients, gutka chewers, and chronic smokers with gutka-chewing habits, salty taste showed normal perception, sweet taste showed hypogeusia, and bitter taste reported ageusia. The healthy individuals mostly showed normal perception for almost all tastes. Conclusions: It can be concluded that OSMF and habitual consumption of areca nut and tobacco appear to have a significant impact on the alteration of the gustatory function, although the type of taste sensation that is affected may vary from person to person.