Evaluation of Regional Taste Function in Healthy Thai Subjects Using Standard Suprathreshold Tastants:

Tharatham  Phonmanee; Naruphon  Sastranuruk; Paraya  Assanasen; Kawita Atipas

doi:10.33192/smj.v77i4.272535

Authors

Tharatham Phonmanee Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Naruphon Sastranuruk Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Paraya Assanasen Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Kawita Atipas Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v77i4.272535

Keywords:

Regional taste test, spatial taste test, gustatory test, gustatory function

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate regional taste function in normal Thai subjects using standard suprathreshold tastants.

Materials and Methods: A total of 93 healthy Thai subjects (41 males and 52 females), aged 20 to 60 years, were recruited. Regional taste function was assessed using four standard suprathreshold tastants, with both identification scores and VAS scores recorded.

Results: The mean total taste identification score was 10.7 on the right side and 10.8 on the left side, with no statistically significant differences between sides across all subgroups. The mean VAS score was highest for sweet tastants and for the posterior tongue as the tested area. No significant differences were observed between sexes or among age groups when analyzed by tastant and area.

Conclusion: The regional (spatial) taste test is a useful gustatory test. This study establishes normative values for Thai subjects, which can be used in future clinical practice for patient evaluations.

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