Chemotherapy can affect taste and smell function. This may contribute to the high prevalence of overweight and metabolic syndrome in testicular cancer survivors (TCS). Aims of the study were to evaluate taste and smell function and possible consequences for dietary intake, food preference, and body composition in TCS treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Fifty TCS, 1-7 years post-chemotherapy, and 50 age-matched healthy men participated. Taste and smell function were measured using taste strips and 'Sniffin' Sticks', respectively. Dietary intake was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire. Food preference was assessed using food pictures varying in taste (sweet/savoury) and fat or protein content. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry was performed to measure body composition. Presence of metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism were assessed.
TCS had a lower total taste function, a higher bitter taste threshold, higher Body Mass Index (BMI), and more (abdominal) fat than controls (p < 0.05). No differences in smell function and dietary intake were found. Testosterone level was an important determinant of body composition in TCS (p = 0.016).
Although taste function was impaired in TCS, this was not related to a different dietary intake compared to controls. Lower testosterone levels were associated with a higher BMI, fat mass, and abdominal fat distribution in TCS.
Appetite. 2016 Jun 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Irene IJpma, Remco J Renken, Jourik A Gietema, Riemer H J A Slart, Manon G J Mensink, Joop D Lefrandt, Gert J Ter Horst, Anna K L Reyners
Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Neuroimaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands., Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Neuroimaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands., Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands., Medical Imaging Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Faculty of Science and Technology, Biomedical Photonic Imaging, University of Twente, The Netherlands., Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen UR, Wageningen, The Netherlands., Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands., Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Neuroimaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands., Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: .