Abstract
We investigated if the changes in gustatory and olfactory thresholds (G-th and O-th) in the process of chemotherapy affect food intake in patients with hematopoietic tumor. 32 patients were studied after obtaining informed consent. Measurements of G-th and O-th, the amount of food intake (AFI) and questionnaires were carried out before the initiation of chemotherapy (before), on the third day (3rd) and on the seventh day (7th) during chemotherapy, and 2 weeks after the termination of chemotherapy (after). AFI was remarkably decreased at 3rd and was recovered at after. The patients, who experienced alterations of gustatory and olfactory sensations, were increased in number at 3rd. The% change of G-th for salt and bitter as basis by that at before was significantly elevated at 3rd, whereas that for sweet was significantly decreased at after (P<0.05). The% change of O-th for detection was significantly decreased at 7th ; however, O-th for recognition was significantly increased in female (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the increase in G-th for salt significantly decreased AFI and that the decrease in O-th for detection of β-phenyl ethyl alcohol significantly decreased AFI. The averaged O-th for recognition reciprocally correlated with AFI in female patients (r = -0.34, P<0.05). Alterations in G-th and O-th in the process of chemotherapy affected AFI in the patients with hematopoietic tumor. [J Physiol Sci. 2006;56 Suppl:S183]
