Taste dysfunction analysis in patients with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the taste dysfuction and its features in patients with allergic rhinitis,and to study its influence on quality of life.Method:Three hundred and five consecutive cases were enrolled. Rhino conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, visual analogue scale and Lund-Kennedy nasal endoscopy scores were used to assess the taste dysfunction. In addition, taste test with paper strips was used to evaluate the four basic tastes of the twenty patients with severity dysfuction VAS.Result:Taste dysfuction accounted for 18.03% (55/305) in all allergic rhintis, while hypogeusia and hypergeusia were 98.18% (54/55), 1.82% (1/55) respectively. There were significant differences of RQLQ scores in taste dysfuction group compared to no taste dysfunction group, there were positive correlated relationship, but no difference between taste function and nasal VAS scores nor Lund and Kennedy nasal endoscopy scores. Saline taste, bitter taste, sweet taste and sour taste were impaired in AR, thus, saline taste was more diminishes than another three (P< 0.05). Conclusion:Taste dysfunction is common symptom in allergic rhinitis, mainly including hypogeusia, especially saline taste.Taste dysfunction can impact patients'quality of life.