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Self-reported taste and smell alterations and the liking of oral nutritional supplements with sensory-adapted flavors in cancer patients receiving systemic antitumor treatment.

Authors :
de Haan JJ
Renken RJ
Moshage Y
Kluifhooft DA
Corbier C
Daly LE
Blanchard H
Reyners AKL
Source :
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer [Support Care Cancer] 2021 Oct; Vol. 29 (10), pp. 5691-5699. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Feb 25.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Purpose: Taste and smell alterations (TAs and SAs) are often reported by patients with cancer receiving systemic antitumor therapy and can negatively impact food intake and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the occurrence of TAs and SAs and investigate the impact of TAs on overall liking of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) with warming and cooling sensations.<br />Methods: Patients receiving systemic antitumor therapy completed a questionnaire on sensory alterations and evaluated overall liking of 5 prototype flavors of Nutridrink® Compact Protein (hot tropical ginger (HTG), hot mango (HM), cool red fruits (CRF), cool lemon (CL), and neutral (N)) on a 10-point scale via a sip test. Differences between patients with and without TAs were investigated using permutation analysis.<br />Results: Fifty patients with various cancer types and treatments were included. Thirty patients (60%) reported TAs and 13 (26%) experienced SAs. Three flavors were rated highly with a liking score > 6 (CRF 6.8 ± 1.7; N 6.5 ± 1.9; HTG 6.0 ± 2.0). Larger variation in ONS liking scores was observed in patients with TAs with or without SAs (4.5-6.9 and 4.6-7.2, respectively) vs. patients without TAs (5.9-6.5). TAs were associated with increased liking of CRF (Δ = + 0.9) and N (Δ = + 1.0) flavors.<br />Conclusions: TAs and SAs are common in patients with cancer undergoing systemic antitumor therapy. Patients with TAs were more discriminant in liking of ONS flavors compared to patients without TAs, and sensory-adapted flavors appeared to be appreciated. The presence of TAs should be considered when developing or selecting ONS for patients with cancer.<br />Trial Registration: Registration at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03525236) on 26 April 2018.<br /> (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1433-7339
Volume :
29
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33629188
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06049-4