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Purpose Dysgeusia is an adverse event caused by chemotherapy. Although retrospective studies have shown zinc administration improves dysgeusia, there have been no prospective studies. The present study examined effects of zinc therapy on dysgeusia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with dysgeusia during chemotherapy treatment. Patients received no intervention (control), polaprezinc p.o., or zinc acetate hydrate p.o., and serum zinc levels were measured at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks. Dysgeusia was assessed using CTCAE v5.0 and subjective total taste acuity (STTA) criteria using questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks. Results From February 2020 to June 2021, 180 patients were enrolled from 17 institutes. There were no differences in mean baseline serum zinc levels among the groups (67.3, 66.6, and 67.5 mu g/dL in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. P = 0.846). The changes in mean serum zinc levels after 12 weeks were - 3.8, + 14.3, and + 46.6 mu g/dL, and the efficacy rates of dysgeusia were 33.3%, 36.8%, and 34.6% using CTCAE and 33.3%, 52.6%, 32.7% using STTA in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. The STTA scores improved in all groups, with significant improvement observed in the polaprezinc group compared with the no intervention group (P = 0.045). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between the degree of serum zinc elevation and improvement in dysgeusia, suggesting that polaprezinc, but not zinc acetate hydrate, was effective in improving chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia.

Purpose Dysgeusia is an adverse event caused by chemotherapy. Although retrospective studies have shown zinc administration improves dysgeusia, there have been no prospective studies. The present study examined effects of zinc therapy on dysgeusia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with dysgeusia during chemotherapy treatment. Patients received no intervention (control), polaprezinc p.o., or zinc acetate hydrate p.o., and serum zinc levels were measured at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks. Dysgeusia was assessed using CTCAE v5.0 and subjective total taste acuity (STTA) criteria using questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks. Results From February 2020 to June 2021, 180 patients were enrolled from 17 institutes. There were no differences in mean baseline serum zinc levels among the groups (67.3, 66.6, and 67.5 mu g/dL in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. P = 0.846). The changes in mean serum zinc levels after 12 weeks were - 3.8, + 14.3, and + 46.6 mu g/dL, and the efficacy rates of dysgeusia were 33.3%, 36.8%, and 34.6% using CTCAE and 33.3%, 52.6%, 32.7% using STTA in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. The STTA scores improved in all groups, with significant improvement observed in the polaprezinc group compared with the no intervention group (P = 0.045). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between the degree of serum zinc elevation and improvement in dysgeusia, suggesting that polaprezinc, but not zinc acetate hydrate, was effective in improving chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia.

Purpose Dysgeusia is an adverse event caused by chemotherapy. Although retrospective studies have shown zinc administration improves dysgeusia, there have been no prospective studies. The present study examined effects of zinc therapy on dysgeusia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with dysgeusia during chemotherapy treatment. Patients received no intervention (control), polaprezinc p.o., or zinc acetate hydrate p.o., and serum zinc levels were measured at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks. Dysgeusia was assessed using CTCAE v5.0 and subjective total taste acuity (STTA) criteria using questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks. Results From February 2020 to June 2021, 180 patients were enrolled from 17 institutes. There were no differences in mean baseline serum zinc levels among the groups (67.3, 66.6, and 67.5 mu g/dL in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. P = 0.846). The changes in mean serum zinc levels after 12 weeks were - 3.8, + 14.3, and + 46.6 mu g/dL, and the efficacy rates of dysgeusia were 33.3%, 36.8%, and 34.6% using CTCAE and 33.3%, 52.6%, 32.7% using STTA in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. The STTA scores improved in all groups, with significant improvement observed in the polaprezinc group compared with the no intervention group (P = 0.045). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between the degree of serum zinc elevation and improvement in dysgeusia, suggesting that polaprezinc, but not zinc acetate hydrate, was effective in improving chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia.

Purpose Dysgeusia is an adverse event caused by chemotherapy. Although retrospective studies have shown zinc administration improves dysgeusia, there have been no prospective studies. The present study examined effects of zinc therapy on dysgeusia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods This multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolled patients with dysgeusia during chemotherapy treatment. Patients received no intervention (control), polaprezinc p.o., or zinc acetate hydrate p.o., and serum zinc levels were measured at 0 (baseline), 6, and 12 weeks. Dysgeusia was assessed using CTCAE v5.0 and subjective total taste acuity (STTA) criteria using questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks. Results From February 2020 to June 2021, 180 patients were enrolled from 17 institutes. There were no differences in mean baseline serum zinc levels among the groups (67.3, 66.6, and 67.5 mu g/dL in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. P = 0.846). The changes in mean serum zinc levels after 12 weeks were - 3.8, + 14.3, and + 46.6 mu g/dL, and the efficacy rates of dysgeusia were 33.3%, 36.8%, and 34.6% using CTCAE and 33.3%, 52.6%, 32.7% using STTA in the no intervention, polaprezinc, and zinc acetate hydrate groups, respectively. The STTA scores improved in all groups, with significant improvement observed in the polaprezinc group compared with the no intervention group (P = 0.045). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between the degree of serum zinc elevation and improvement in dysgeusia, suggesting that polaprezinc, but not zinc acetate hydrate, was effective in improving chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia.

Background: It has been noted that olfactory and gustatory disturbances may precede or accompany the typical features of COVID-19, such as fever and cough. Hence, a high index of suspicion is required when patients report sudden loss of smell or taste, in order to facilitate timely diagnosis and isolation. Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of olfactory and gustatory disturbances in COVID-19 positive patients from a cohort representative of Melbourne, Australia. Method(s): A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Standardised phone consultations and online follow-up questionnaires were performed to assess clinical features of COVID-19, with a focus on smell and taste disorders. Result(s): The most frequent symptoms experienced were taste and smell disturbances with 74% experiencing either smell or taste disturbance or both. Post-recovery, 34% of patients continued to experience ongoing hyposmia and 2% anosmia, whereas 28% continued to suffer from hypogeusia or ageusia. Conclusion and significance: This study presents the high rates of improvement of both olfactory and gustatory disturbance in a short-lived period. It also highlights the importance of these symptoms in prompting appropriate testing, quarantine precautions, initiate early olfactory retraining and the potential for continued sensory disturbance.Copyright © 2020 Acta Oto-Laryngologica AB (Ltd).

Background: It has been noted that olfactory and gustatory disturbances may precede or accompany the typical features of COVID-19, such as fever and cough. Hence, a high index of suspicion is required when patients report sudden loss of smell or taste, in order to facilitate timely diagnosis and isolation. Aims/objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of olfactory and gustatory disturbances in COVID-19 positive patients from a cohort representative of Melbourne, Australia. Method(s): A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Standardised phone consultations and online follow-up questionnaires were performed to assess clinical features of COVID-19, with a focus on smell and taste disorders. Result(s): The most frequent symptoms experienced were taste and smell disturbances with 74% experiencing either smell or taste disturbance or both. Post-recovery, 34% of patients continued to experience ongoing hyposmia and 2% anosmia, whereas 28% continued to suffer from hypogeusia or ageusia. Conclusion and significance: This study presents the high rates of improvement of both olfactory and gustatory disturbance in a short-lived period. It also highlights the importance of these symptoms in prompting appropriate testing, quarantine precautions, initiate early olfactory retraining and the potential for continued sensory disturbance.Copyright © 2020 Acta Oto-Laryngologica AB (Ltd).

BACKGROUND: Taste disorders are frequently observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and are serious adverse events which impair the quality of life (QoL) of the cancer patient. Nevertheless, taste disorder mechanisms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to reveal taste disorder-related peripheral mechanisms using the two-bottle preference test (TBPT) and histological examination of tongues by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry with protein-gene product 9.5. METHODS: In the TBPT, one bottle was filled with the 0.01 mM quinine hydrochloride (quinine), as a bitter compound, and the other was filled with water. Doses of 50 and 100 mg kg-1 day-1 S-1 (tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium) are lethal to Wistar rats. Therefore, doses ranging from 2-20 mg kg-1 day-1 were administered to the rats for 3 weeks. The S-1 dose of 2 mg kg-1 day-1 corresponds to the clinical dose administered to cancer patients. The part of the tongue containing the circumvallate papillae was excised the following TBPT. RESULTS: The rate of increase in terms of the average preference rate for the quinine vs. all intake (quinine plus water) was significant from the initial S-1 period to the final one, compared with that in control rats, suggesting the possibility of a worsening sensation for the bitter taste. In S-1 rats, the area of taste nerve fibers were significantly decreased and the rate of degeneration of intra-tongue ganglionic nerve cells was significantly increased. These changes were significantly correlated with the rate of increase in average preference rate of the quinine. CONCLUSION: Neuropathy of the gustatory nerve at the periphery may be involved in taste disorders induced by an anticancer drug., 博士（医学）・乙1329号・平成26年3月17日

BACKGROUND: Taste disorders are frequently observed in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and are serious adverse events which impair the quality of life (QoL) of the cancer patient. Nevertheless, taste disorder mechanisms in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to reveal taste disorder-related peripheral mechanisms using the two-bottle preference test (TBPT) and histological examination of tongues by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry with protein-gene product 9.5. METHODS: In the TBPT, one bottle was filled with the 0.01 mM quinine hydrochloride (quinine), as a bitter compound, and the other was filled with water. Doses of 50 and 100 mg kg-1 day-1 S-1 (tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil potassium) are lethal to Wistar rats. Therefore, doses ranging from 2-20 mg kg-1 day-1 were administered to the rats for 3 weeks. The S-1 dose of 2 mg kg-1 day-1 corresponds to the clinical dose administered to cancer patients. The part of the tongue containing the circumvallate papillae was excised the following TBPT. RESULTS: The rate of increase in terms of the average preference rate for the quinine vs. all intake (quinine plus water) was significant from the initial S-1 period to the final one, compared with that in control rats, suggesting the possibility of a worsening sensation for the bitter taste. In S-1 rats, the area of taste nerve fibers were significantly decreased and the rate of degeneration of intra-tongue ganglionic nerve cells was significantly increased. These changes were significantly correlated with the rate of increase in average preference rate of the quinine. CONCLUSION: Neuropathy of the gustatory nerve at the periphery may be involved in taste disorders induced by an anticancer drug., 博士（医学）・乙1329号・平成26年3月17日

We report two Australian patients with possible cobalt toxicity related to metal-on-metal total hip replacements. Both patients were treated for osteoarthritis with a DePuy ASR (articular surface replacement) XL Acetabular Hip System prosthesis, which contains cobalt and chromium, and which has recently been recalled from the market.

Treatment of taste disorder patients was started at our department since gustatory outpatient clinic was opened in October 1999. For the purpose of grasping the clinical features of these patients, a clinical study was performed. Fifty-three patients (17 males and 36 females) who were examined and treated at our gustatory clinic from October 1999 to February 2002 were studied. Patient's age was distributed from 23 to 96 years, and the average age was 66.6 years. The most numerous group consisted in 15 female patients in their 70. The most frequent chief complaint was lack of taste (hypogeusia) and was reported by 18 patients. Among other complaints were bitter taste (pantogeusia) in 12 patients, tongue pain or dry mouth (intraoral conditions not related to taste) in 15 patients, heterogeusia in 3 patients. The diagnosis was drug-induced taste disorder in 10 patients, oral candidiasis in 7 patients, iron deficiency-induced taste disorder in 6 patients, idiopathic and peripheral conduction taste disorders each in 5 patients, and zinc deficiency-induced taste disorder in 3 patients. The treatment mainly consisted in dietary instructions, zinc prescription and oral care. The treatment outcome was investigated using the paper disk method by which a decrease of the psychogeusic threshold for all the tastes was found after treatment in the 14 patients whose chief complaint was a lack of taste. A tendency of quick recovery was observed in the patients who visited our clinic shortly after they have noticed taste-related symptoms. Moreover, since positive effects were obtained by zinc intake in many patients with normal serum zinc level, a latent zinc deficiency was suspected in these patients., 新潟大学歯学部附属病院加齢歯科では、平成11年10月に味覚外来を開設し、味覚障害患者の治療にあたってきた｡今回、味覚外来受診者の臨床的特徴を把握し、診療体制の充実を図るために臨床統計的検討を行った｡対象は平成11年10月から平成14年2月までに味覚外来を受診した53名(男性17名、女性36名)とした｡患者の年齢は23歳から96歳に分布し、平均年齢は66.6歳であった｡70歳代の女性患者が15名と最多であった｡主訴は、味がわからないなどの味覚減退が18名と最も多く、ロの中が苦いなどの自発性異常味覚12名、舌痛、口渇など口腔内症状15名、異味症3名などであった｡診断は、薬剤性味覚障害10名、口腔カンジダ症各7名、鉄欠乏性味覚障害6名、特発性、末梢伝導路性味覚障害各5名、亜鉛欠乏性味覚障害3名であった｡治療は、食事指導や亜鉛内服療法、口腔ケアなどを行った｡主訴に味がわからないと訴えた患者14名について、濾紙ディスク検査の結果を治療前後で比較したところ、全ての味質において、治療後に味覚閾値の低下がみられた｡症状が発現してから来院までの期間が短い方に治癒率が高い傾向にあった｡また、血清亜鉛値が正常値であっても、亜鉛内服により良好な効果が得られた患者が多く、潜在的な亜鉛欠乏が推察された｡