Abnormalities of Taste and Smell in Sjogren's Syndrome

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.