Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41680558›Full record

Observational studySupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026

Comprehensive evaluation of taste dysfunction in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: a combined subjective and objective assessment.

Yoko Tsukamoto, Saori Oku, Junichi Yamazoe, Yoshiko Imamura, Tsugiyo Nakamura, Haruna Hikita, Mikiko Nakamura, Emi Taniyama, Takuji Yamauchi, Yasuo Mori and 1 more

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Yoko TsukamotoDental Hygiene Section, Department of Medical Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Saori OkuSection of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. saori.oku@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0220-7382
Junichi YamazoeSection of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
Yoshiko ImamuraSection of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
Tsugiyo NakamuraDental Hygiene Section, Department of Medical Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Haruna HikitaDental Hygiene Section, Department of Medical Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Mikiko NakamuraDepartment of Nursing, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Emi TaniyamaDepartment of Nursing, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Takuji YamauchiDepartment of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan.
Yasuo MoriDepartment of Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan.
Haruhiko KashiwazakiSection of Geriatric Dentistry and Perioperative Medicine in Dentistry, Division of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-Ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science JP 22K17473 and 25K20703
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTaste dysfunction is a common but underrecognized complication in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Taste dysfunction can adversely affect oral intake, nutritional status, and overall quality of life. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate taste function in allo-HCT recipients using both objective and subjective measures and to identify clinical factors associated with taste disturbances.

methodsWe conducted a prospective observational study of 21 adult allo-HCT recipients. Taste function was assessed at two time points (pre-conditioning and pre-discharge) using the whole-mouth taste testing method for the five basic tastes and the Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alteration Scale (CiTAS). All 21 patients completed the CiTAS, and 19 patients underwent whole-mouth taste testing.

resultsMost patients exhibited objective taste dysfunction before transplantation, particularly for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter taste qualities. The objective taste thresholds remained stable post-transplantation, but the subjective CiTAS scores worsened for basic taste, general alterations, and discomfort. There was a trend (p = 0.057) for objective umami taste to be better preserved in patients with gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI-GVHD). Oral mucositis was associated with higher phantogeusia/parageusia scores, while high malnutrition risk or weight loss correlated with lower subjective symptom scores.

conclusionThe discrepancy between subjective and objective assessments of taste dysfunction highlights that taste perception is regulated by multifactorial and complex mechanisms. Intensive supportive care, which is often provided to severely ill patients, may offer psychological reassurance that indirectly improves self-reported taste symptoms. Whether umami sensitivity is influenced by systemic factors such as GI-GVHD requires further study.

Indexed as

Hematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationTaste DisordersAdultAgedFemaleGraft vs Host DiseaseHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesQuality of LifeTransplantation, HomologousYoung AdultAllogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantationChemotherapy-induced Taste Alterations ScaleTaste dysfunctionUmamiWhole-mouth taste testing method

Identifiers

PMID41680558
PMCPMC12901097

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.