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Abnormalities of Taste and Smell in Sjogren's Syndrome
- R. I. HENKIN, M.D.;
- N. TALAL, M.D.;
- A. L. LARSON, M.D.; and
- C. F. T. MATTERN, M.D.
Abstract
Taste and smell thresholds and forced scaling levels were studied in 29 patients with Sjögren's syndrome and in 10 patients with various diseases of the parotid glands, with and without xerostomia and rhinitis sicca. Patients with xerostomia and rhinitis sicca due to Sjögren's syndrome or other causes had significant decreases in taste and smell acuity. Cyclophosphamide or X-ray treatment improved taste or smell function if the xerostomia or rhinitis sicca concomitantly improved. These studies suggest that saliva and nasal mucus are important in maintaining normal taste and smell acuity through their effects on taste bud and olfactory epithelium function.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Robert I. Henkin, M.D., Chief, Section on Neuroendocrinology, National Heart and Lung Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. 20014.
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- Received July 6, 1971.
- Accepted September 20, 1971.
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