An observational study in Altered Taste, sponsored by Prof Andrew Davies. Recruiting at 1 site in Ireland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-09-19.
Sponsored by Prof Andrew Davies · Observational
Taste problems 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. There is no validated tool to assess taste disturbances and their impact on patients with advanced cancer. This study will develop and validate a novel assessment tool to assess taste disturbances and their impact on patients with advanced cancer.
Patients with advanced cancer often develop taste disturbances. A recent literature review reported a median prevalence of 55%, with prevalence ranging from 27-93%. Studies have shown taste disturbance is usually a persistent symptom, is often 'moderate-to-severe' in intensity, and is often associated with significant distress. Taste disturbance may have a major impact on the experience and pleasure associated with eating and drinking. Taste disturbance may have a major impact on nutritional intake. It may be associated with low mood / depression, social isolation, and an impaired quality of life.
The aforementioned literature review identified, importantly, that the terminology used in the published literature varied, which may have had an effect on the results obtained, especially prevalence statistics. The review identified the need for "development/validation studies of a taste-specific assessment tool for this group of patients - there is a need for a tool that not only assesses the problem but can also assess the response to treatment for the problem, utilising patient reported outcome measures."
52 studies on the registry are indexed under Dysgeusia; 12 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 200 is above the median of 104 across 22 observational studies indexed under Dysgeusia.
Browse Dysgeusia studies →This is the only study on the registry with Prof Andrew Davies as lead sponsor.
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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 past 2 weeks have you experienced taste problems?" If yes to the question, "How severe was it? (Options- Slight/Moderate/Severe/Very severe)". Patients must score as moderate/severe/very severe
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
18 years of age Diagnosis of locally advanced or cancer Referred to palliative care/oncology services Taste problems rated 'moderate' or worse over previous 2-week period Good understanding of English
Exclusion Criteria:
Cognitive impairment (unable to provide consent / complete questionnaire) Taste problems precedes cancer diagnosis. Head and neck surgery Head and neck radiotherapy Salivary gland disorders (e.g., Sjogren's Syndrome) In the 'Deteriorating' or 'Terminal' Phase of illness
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
completion of a questionnaire by participant
To develop a novel assessment tool to assess taste disturbances in patients with advanced cancer
To develop the Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (TQ-PAL) to assess taste disturbances and their impact on patients with palliative care. It's domains include the effect on food intake, social inclusion, and quality of life
Time frame: December 2025
To validate the newly developed Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (TQ-PAL)
To test the TQ-PAL for face, content, construct, convergent and reliability validation.
Time frame: December 2025
Plan to share: No
Started Sep 2023 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2025, 27 months after the start.
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