Study on gustatory acuity in obstructive jaundice, with special reference to correlation between threshold of taste acuity and plasma retinolbinding protein level after PTC-drainage

Abstract

Threshold of taste acuity was measured by electrogustometer in 3 patients with obstructive jaundice. All these patients were found to have disorder of taste acuity (elevated threshold of taste acuity), and showed a rapid fall in the threshold (improvement in acuity) after PTC-drainage. Increase of food intake was observed 3-4 days after improvement in taste acuity. Significant correlation was demonstrated between threshold of taste acuity and plasma retinol-binding protein (r=-0.863, P<0.001), prealbumin (r=-0.953, P<0.001) and total bile acid (r=-0.787, P<0.01). Important role of retinol-binding protein in development of hypogeusia was discussed in patients with obstructive jaundice.