Investigating factors influencing subjective taste and smell alterations in colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the factors influencing self-reported taste and smell disturbances in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: A total of 152 participants were enrolled in the study. All subjects completed surveys that assessed taste and smell alterations using the Taste and Smell Survey (TSS), linear analog self-assessment (LASA), Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The TSS gathered data on the nature of taste and smell changes and their impact on quality of life. LASA was employed to evaluate the quality of life in cancer patients, while PG-SGA was used to indicate the nutritional status of the participants. PSQI was used to evaluate sleep quality.

Results: Among the 152 colorectal cancer patients, the total TSS score was 5.68 ± 2.84. No changes were observed in 5 cases (3.3%), mild changes in 58 cases (38.2%), and moderate to severe changes in 89 cases (58.6%). The severity of taste and smell disturbances increased with tumor stage, the cycle of chemotherapy, deteriorating sleep quality, and poor nutritional status, displaying significant correlations. Additionally, 83 patients (54.6%) complained of taste abnormalities, while 81 (53.3%) reported smell abnormalities.

Conclusion: Taste and smell disturbances are prominent in colorectal cancer patients. Taste abnormalities are significantly correlated with tumor stage, the cycle of chemotherapy, sleep quality, and nutritional status. Recognizing the high prevalence of taste and smell abnormalities and the influencing factors among patients with colorectal cancer may aid in predicting and understanding the severity of these symptoms more effectively.