Normative data on a reliable and sensitive test of gustatory function

INTRODUCTION: Our sense of taste plays a key role in eating and drinking, guiding behaviour through warning and pleasure signalling. Taste dysfunction has severe consequences for patients. Reliable gustatory testing is relevant for researchers and clinicians, emphasising the need for reproducible measuring methods. This study aimed to provide normative data on the Taste-Drop-Test (TDT), which is already used in clinical and research settings. METHODS: The TDT was administered to 424 healthy participants and 134 patients with gustatory dysfunction. The test consisted of liquid concentrations of four basic tastes: acidic, sweet, salty and bitter. After application, a test score was calculated for each individual. RESULTS: In the healthy participants, a significant correlation was found between TDT score and olfactory function. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found for superior taste function for younger age and female sex. The cut-off value based on the tenth percentile in the healthy participants was 6.25. CONCLUSIONS: The TDT can distinguish between normo- and hypogeusia. We recommend using the TDT to researchers and clinicians when an accurate measurement of gustatory function is warranted. FUNDING: This project received no specific funding. Alexander Wieck Fjældstad is partially funded by the VELUX Foundation for other projects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Central Denmark Region Ethics Committee approved the study (42832), which was conducted in consistency with the Declaration of Helsinki Ethical Principles of Medical Research.