Abstract
To investigate whether taste ability is reduced in acutely hospitalised older people compared with healthy, age-matched, non- hospitalised controls. Proper gustatory function in older people is important for quality of life and enjoyment of food. Impaired taste may contribute to weight loss in elderly. Cross- sectional study. The participants comprised two groups with age≥70years. Older people hospitalised for acute disease, home-living prior to hospital admission and with adequate cognitive function (n=174 with mean age=84 years). The controls (n=63, mean age 82years) were home-living, and healthy by their own judgement. Whole mouth gustatory function was assessed with taste strips impregnated with sweet, sour, bitter and salty taste solutions in four different concentrations each. Correct identifications were summarized, and maximum total score was 16. Total taste score was reduced in the hospitalised group compared with the control group (p=0.035). The difference was mainly due to reduced ability to detect sour and bitter taste qualities (p<0.001 and p=0.003). Acutely hospitalised older people had significantly reduced taste ability compared with non-hospitalised controls. Sour and bitter taste qualities were mostly affected. Hospital staff should pay attention to these findings when preparing food for hospitalised older people.
Highlights
Various taste qualities were affected differently, in that sweet and salty taste qualities were affected in patients with dry mouth, whereas sour taste quality was impaired in patients with plaque accumulation and high growth of Lactobacilli
Taste ability was reduced in acutely hospitalized elderly with decayed teeth, high growth of oral bacteria (Lactobacilli and Streptococcus Mutans), unacceptable oral hygiene, and dry mouth
Sweet and salty tastes were impaired in patients with dry mouth, whereas sour taste was impaired in patients with plaque accumulation and high growth of Lactobacilli
Summary
Oral health among older people in Norway and Western societies has improved in recent years (1-3). Good oral health has become a high priority for most people, and the proportion of elder adults keeping their own teeth even in advancing years is increasing (3). Frailty is often accompanied with problems performing daily routines including maintenance of proper oral hygiene. This may be due to muscle weakness, poor vision, nutrient deficiency, and dementia (8). In many cases the elderly are so weak and frail that treatment and replacement of lost teeth are no longer possible. Many frail elderly have poor oral health characterized by caries, poor oral hygiene, and dry mouth. The possible influence of such factors on taste ability in acutely hospitalized elderly has not been investigated
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