OBJECTIVE: Among the side effects of chemotherapy, there is dysgeusia, which is an alteration or damage to the taste perception that negatively impacts the biopsychosocial sphere of the patient. Therefore, it is important to recognize and manage it appropriately. The objective of this study is to identify clinical pharmacological strategies to reduce dysgeusia in chemotherapy patients.
METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines between February and May 2023, utilizing PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and the British Nursing Database. Methodological quality and bias risk assessment were performed using the JBI framework, while evidence certainty was evaluated using the Oxford OCEBM methodology.
RESULTS: Out of 1225 consulted records, 12 articles were included. The results underscore the efficacy of diverse pharmacological interventions in mitigating dysgeusia among chemotherapy patients. These include zinc supplementation with a daily dosage ranging between 50 and 220 mg (p ≤ 0.005), lactoferrin at 250 mg thrice daily (p < 0.001), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol at 2 mg per day (p < 0.05), and cannabidiol at 150 mg per day (p = 0.04). All studies analysed showed a low risk of bias. The zinc and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinoid treatment proved particularly promising, compared to the other treatments considered, where sample sizes were smaller and the placebo effect was not always clear.
CONCLUSIONS: Among the various pharmacological strategies identified, those that appear most promising concern the integration of zinc and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinoid. Future studies should further explore the treatments identified in this review to expand the evidence base in this relatively underexplored field.

Dysgeusia is a common altered taste perception in chronic kidney disease patients. The study aims to identify available treatments for educating, screening, and clinically managing dysgeusia in this population. A scoping review was conducted following the protocol of Arksey and O\'Malley, incorporating the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, and adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Among the 424 identified records, 13 studies were included. Screening methodologies, educational strategies, particularly a hospital-based program focusing on salt reduction, showed a significant improvement in dysgeusia (P < .001). The identified clinical treatments exclusively included oral zinc supplementation, with dosages ranging from 50 to 220 mg, reporting heterogeneous results not consistent across different studies. The personalized management of dysgeusia associated with chronic kidney disease is crucial, requiring targeted education and treatment protocols to prevent and address nutritional complications such as malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: Dysgeusia is characterized by a loss of taste perception, leading to malnutrition. This situation affects inflammatory conditions such as respiratory and neurological conditions, obesity, cancer, chemotherapy, aging, and many others. To date, there is not much information on the prevalence and risk of dysgeusia in an inflammatory condition; also, it is unclear which flavor is altered.
METHODS: We systematically searched three databases from January 2018 to January 2023. Participants were children, adults, or elderly persons with an inflammatory condition and evaluated taste loss. A random effects model was used for statistical analysis to calculate the pooled odds ratio with its corresponding 95.0% confidence interval to estimate the probability of taste alteration (dysgeusia) in an inflammatory condition.
RESULTS: The data allowed us to conduct a systematic review, including 63 original articles and 15 studies to perform the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated a heterogenicity of 84.7% with an odds ratio of 3.25 (2.66-3.96), indicating a significant risk of Alzheimer\'s disease, SARS-CoV-2, chemotherapy, and rhinosinusitis.
CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory conditions and taste alterations are linked. Dysgeusia is associated with a higher risk of malnutrition and poorer general health status, especially in vulnerable populations.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of ageusia and dysgeusia after endoscopic endonasal (EEA) resection of olfactory groove meningioma (OGM) is not well established despite recognized impairment in olfactory function.
METHODS: We retrospectively administered a validated taste and smell survey to patients undergoing EEA for resection of OGM at two institutions. Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected and survey responses were analyzed.
RESULTS: Twelve patients completed the survey. The median time from surgery was 24 months. The average total complaint score was 5.5 out of 16 [0-13]. All patients reported a change in sense of smell while only 42 % reported a change in sense of taste. Taste changes did not consistently associate with laterality or size of the neoplasm. Significant heterogeneity existed when rating severity of symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first case series examining taste changes after EEA resection of OGM. Despite universal olfactory dysfunction, only a minority of patients reported a change in their sense of taste. Our findings may improve patient counseling and expectations after surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Dysgeusia is a common side effect in oncology patients, significantly impacting their quality of life. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological strategies in treating dysgeusia in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
METHODS: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive literature search across five databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and the British Nursing Database. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools to assess the quality of the included studies. A harvest plot was used to synthesise evidence about the differential effects of population-level interventions.
RESULTS: Nine studies of non-pharmacological strategies to manage dysgeusia were included. These studies encompassed a variety of interventions, including oral applications and supplements, instrumental techniques, and educational programs. The review identified promising interventions such as cryotherapy and Miraculine supplementation, which showed potential in mitigating taste alterations. Instrumental techniques like photobiomodulation therapy and complementary and integrative medicine approaches, including acupuncture and herbs, were also found to be beneficial. Educational and self-management strategies emerged as effective interventions for empowering patients to manage dysgeusia. Despite the diversity of interventions and the limitations of the included studies, such as small sample sizes and geographical differences, these findings underscore the potential of non-pharmacological strategies in managing dysgeusia.
CONCLUSIONS: The results support the integration of these strategies into clinical practice, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approaches to improve patient care. Further research should prioritize rigorous studies to enhance evidence and explore long-term effects.

Dry mouth, oral candidiasis, and recurrent aphthous ulcers are 3 of the most common oral conditions that may be associated with patient discomfort, decreased quality of life, and morbidity.
In a meta-analysis of 26 population-based cohort and cross-sectional studies, the global prevalence of dry mouth symptoms was 23% (95% CI, 18% to 28%), placing individuals at risk of oral candidiasis, dental caries, dysgeusia, masticatory/speech impairment, and oropharyngeal dysphagia. Dry mouth is associated with using more than 3 oral medications per day (odds ratio [OR], 2.9 [95% CI, 1.4 to 6.2]), head and neck radiation, and Sjögren disease. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing and speaking, thirst, and halitosis. Dry mouth is associated with an 11.5% (95% CI, 3.6% to 27%) higher risk of oral candidiasis, based on a meta-analysis of 6 observational cohorts. Management of dry mouth includes mechanical salivary stimulants, oral moisturizers, and/or systemic sialagogues. Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by overgrowth of the Candida genus with C albicans, which accounts for 76.8% of infections. The prevalence of oral candidiasis is higher in patients who are immunosuppressed, for example, those with HIV (35% [95% CI, 28% to 42%]) and those with salivary gland hypofunction (OR, 3.02 [95% CI, 1.73 to 5.28]). Common risk factors associated with oral candidiasis include use of antibiotics (P = .04) and oral mucosal disorders such as lichen planus. Oral burning and dysgeusia are common symptoms of oral candidiasis. Treatment includes addressing risk factors and use of topical and/or systemic antifungal medications. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is characterized by symptomatic round or oval oral ulcers, which are covered by a gray-white fibrin layer and encircled by an erythematous ring. A meta-analysis of 10 case-controlled studies revealed an increased risk of recurrent aphthous stomatitis associated with polymorphism of IL-1β (+3954C/T) (OR, 1.52 [95% CI, 1.07 to 2.17]) and IL-1β (-511C/T) (OR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.67]). Another meta-analysis of 9 case-control studies reported that patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis had a higher frequency of nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin B12 (OR, 3.75 [95% CI, 2.38 to 5.94]), folic acid (OR, 7.55 [95% CI, 3.91 to 14.60]), and ferritin (OR, 2.62 [95% CI, 1.69 to 4.06]). Recurrent aphthous stomatitis can be associated with systemic diseases. A meta-analysis of 21 case-control studies revealed that celiac disease is associated with a higher incidence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (25% vs 11%; OR, 3.79 [95% CI, 2.67 to 5.39]; P <.001). Topical corticosteroids are first-line agents to manage recurrent aphthous stomatitis; however, systemic medications may be necessary in more severe cases.
Dry mouth, oral candidiasis, and recurrent aphthous ulcers are common oral conditions that may be associated with patient discomfort, decreased quality of life, and morbidity. First-line treatment includes over-the-counter sialagogues for dry mouth, topical antifungals for oral candidiasis, and topical corticosteroids for aphthous ulcers. Oral conditions that do not improve with first-line treatment may require treatment with systemic medications.

UNASSIGNED: To assess the prevalence of taste disorders in children and adolescents diagnosed with coronavirus infection according to the evidence reported in the scientific literature.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic review of articles published between December 19, 2019, and December 20, 2020 in the Medline, Lilacs, BVS, Cochrane, SCOPUS and ScienceDirect databases. The information search strategy was based on the classic PRISMA flow diagram. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias.
UNASSIGNED: 443 articles were found in six databases, and a total of 7 articles were included after evaluation according to the selection criteria. The articles addressed the variable of taste disorders in three ways: ageusia, dysgeusia and hypogeusia; finding that this clinical manifestation was present from the beginning of the infection.
UNASSIGNED: The prevalence of taste disorders in children and adolescents diagnosed with coronavirus infection is from 3.3% to 26.9%.

The presented systematic review contains basic information about the frequency, characteristic features of the course and pathogenesis of olfactory, gustatory and auditory disorders that occur with COVID-19, with which an otorhinolaryngologist meets in his practice. These disorders are often the first, and sometimes the only, manifestations of the underlying disease, which determines their role in early diagnosis and timely detection of the underlying disease. The article includes original articles, clinical case reports and literary reviews.
Представленный систематический обзор содержит основную информацию о частоте, характерных особенностях течения и патогенезе обонятельных, вкусовых и слуховых нарушений, возникающих при COVID-19, с которыми врач-оториноларинголог встречается в своей практике. Эти нарушения часто являются первыми, а иногда и единственными проявлениями основного заболевания, что определяет их роль в ранней диагностике и своевременном выявлении COVID-19. Для анализа отобраны оригинальные статьи, отчеты о клинических случаях и обзоры литературы.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic refractory cough is a challenging condition that requires a thorough evaluation and management approach. P2X3 receptors that are ATP-dependent play an important part in nerve fiber sensitization and pathological pain pathways. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of P2X3 receptor antagonist drugs in chronic cough.
METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase to identify all relevant published studies through January 15, 2023 that assessed P2X3 antagonists in chronic cough. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database with ID: CRD42023422408. Efficacy outcomes were awake (daytime) cough frequency, night cough frequency, 24-h cough frequency, Cough Severity Diary, and total Leicester Cough Questionnaire score. We used the random-effect model to pool the data using RStudio and CMA software.
RESULTS: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials comprising 1350 patients receiving a p2x3 antagonist compared to the placebo group were included in this meta-analysis. A significant decrease in 24-h cough frequency (MD = -4.99, 95% CI [-7.15 to -2.82], P < 0.01), awake (daytime) cough frequency (MD = -7.18, 95% CI [-9.98 to 4.37], P < 0.01), and total Leicester Cough Questionnaire score (MD = 1.74, 95% CI [1.02 to 2.46], P < 0.01) exhibited between the P2X3 antagonist and placebo groups. The frequency of the night cough showed an insignificant difference between the two groups. According to the safety, drug-related adverse events, dysgeusia, hypogeusia, and ageusia significantly increased between the P2X3 antagonist and placebo groups.
CONCLUSIONS: P2X3 receptor antagonists are promising drugs for treating chronic cough by significantly reducing the frequency, severity, and quality. Some potential side effects may include drug-related adverse events such as hypogeusia, ageusia, and dysgeusia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this scoping review is to appraise the published literature on taste disturbance in patients with advanced cancer, with the specific objectives being to determine its prevalence, clinical features and complications.
METHODS: This scoping review was conducted using the recommended methodological framework. A detailed search of databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo) was conducted to identify eligible studies: eligible studies needed to include patients with advanced cancer and needed to include details of clinical features and/or complications of taste disturbance. Standard bibliographic/systematic review software was used to store the records and manage the review process, respectively.
RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were identified from the database searches. The studies identified included eight physical and/or psychological symptom studies, six symptom cluster studies, five oral symptom studies and six taste and/or smell specific studies. Detailed data is presented on the clinical features and complications of taste disturbance and on the symptom clusters involving taste disturbance in this cohort of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review identified a relatively small number of relevant studies involving a relatively small number of participants. Nevertheless, it confirms that taste disturbance is a common problem in patients with advanced cancer and is associated with significant morbidity because of the primary condition and the associated complications.