A questionnaire on taste disorders was sent to all 1551 members of the Japanese Society of Stomato-Pharyngology at the end of December, 1990, and 634 replies (40.9%) were received. There were no regional differences in the incidence of taste disorders . According to our study and the report of the Oto-Rhino-Laryngo logical Society of Japan in 1990, the total number of patients suffering from taste disorders is about 140, 000 a year . Eleven institutes (2.1%) have set up special outpatient departments for taste disorders. Electrogustometry was used in 41.9%, and the filter paper disc method in 31.9% of the institues. In 67.1% of the institutes a physician examines patients with taste disorders, 85.3% of the members treat the disorders with vitamins, and 49.7% use medicines containing zinc. A lack of confidense was expressed by 88.2% of the members because systematized diagnosis and therapy and effective treatment were insufficient. We conclude that in the clinical approach to taste disorders, examination, diagnosis and therapy are not systematized, so present treatments are not effective . Most of the members desire better solutions of these problems.
