An Investigation Into Taste Problems Associated With Xerostomia in Patients With Advanced Cancer
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorOur Lady's Hospice and Care Services
About this trial
Taste problems and xerostomia (dry mouth) are common among patients with advanced cancer. These symptoms can affect the pleasure of eating and drinking, reduce dietary intake, cause low mood, and a lower quality of life. This study will explore the relationship between dry mouth and taste problems in patients with advanced cancer.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
18 years of age
Diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic cancer
Referred to palliative care/oncology services
Dry mouth rated 'moderate' or worse over previous 2-week period
Disqualifiers
Cognitive impairment (unable to provide consent / complete questionnaire)
Dry mouth precedes cancer diagnosis.
Taste problems precedes cancer diagnosis.
Head and neck surgery
Trial population
Patients who are currently under the care of oncology or palliative care who have an incurable cancer. Patients will be identified by the clinical teams at the study sites, informed about the study, and (if interested in taking part in the study) referred to the research team. Participants will be screened for inclusion by asking, "1. Over the last 2 weeks have you experienced having a dry mouth? 2. Over the past 2 weeks have you experienced taste problems?" If yes to either question, "How severe was it? (Options- Slight/Moderate/Severe/Very severe)". Patients must score as moderate/severe/very severe.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Not listed
Trial groups
No trial groups listed
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
To measure the prevalence of taste problems in patients with advanced cancer with a dry mouth using the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (questionnaire)
To measure the prevalence of taste problems in patients with advanced cancer who have a dry mouth using the validated Oral Symptom Assessment Scale, which is a 20 question questionnaire which asks about the presence of symptoms in the previous week, the frequency of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of distress/"bothersomeness" caused by the symptoms.
Time frame
December 20252
To identify an association of any other oral symptoms present in patients with taste problems and dry mouth who have advanced cancer using the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (questionnaire)
To identify an association of any other oral symptoms present in patients with taste problems and dry mouth who have advanced cancer using the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (questionnaire) which asks about the presence of symptoms in the previous week, the frequency of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of distress/"bothersomeness" caused by the symptoms.
Time frame
December 20253
To characterise the taste disturbances i.e. to identify reduced taste, heightened taste, altered taste or no taste using the Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (questionnaire) and Waterless Empirical Taste Test (objective taste test)
To characterise the taste disturbances i.e. for reduced taste, heightened taste, altered taste or no taste using the Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care, which is a 16 question questionnaire which asks about the presence of taste problems in the previous fortnight, the frequency of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of distress/"bothersomeness" caused by these symptoms. An objective taste test, the Waterless Empirical Taste Test will also be used. This is comprised of taste strips with monomer cellulose pads impregnated with solutions dried of sucrose, citric acid, sodium chloride, caffeine, monosodium glutamate, or no stimulus. The participant is instructed to move the cellulose pad of each strip around the mouth for 5-10 seconds, and to identify the taste quality or to indicate that no taste can be perceived.
Time frame
December 20254
To identify what impact taste problems are having on patients dietary intake using the Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (questionnaire).
To identify the impact taste problems are having on patients dietary intake using the Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (questionnaire) which is a 16 question questionnaire which asks about the presence of taste problems and xerostomia in the previous fortnight, the frequency of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of distress/"bothersomeness" caused by these symptoms.
Time frame
December 2025Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov