Abstract
Cocaine can be smoked in the form of rocks (crack cocaine or crack) by means of pipes. The use of crack cocaine is a health problem in several countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate taste perception in chronic crack cocaine users compared with a drug-free control group. Sixty males (21–45 years-old) were divided into two groups (30 crack cocaine users and 30 nonusers) and taste function was assessed using the taste strips technique with the four basic tastes. The mean age of the experimental and control group was of 31 years (21–45). In the case group, the average consumption of crack cocaine was 4 g/day. These individuals were using this illicit drug for more than seven years. Seven (23.3%) patients concomitantly used crack cocaine and cocaine (3.8 g per day). Crack cocaine users had difficulty recognizing salty flavor, subsequently sweet and bitter. In general, crack cocaine users confused the salty taste as sour or bitter. All patients in case group (100%) and 23 (76.6%) control subjects were unable to identify the sweet solution less concentrated. Twenty (66.6%) crack cocaine users and 7 (23.3%) had hypogeusia. According to these results, it can be concluded that the chronic use of crack was able to change the taste perception leading to a high prevalence of hypogeusia in these individuals.
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