Clinical trial NCT06588933: TQ-PAL Development and Validation
Official title: The Development and Validation of a Novel Tool for the Assessment of Taste Disturbances in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Conditions: Altered Taste
Keywords: neoplasm
Lead sponsor: Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-09-19
Enrollment: 200
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Observational model: COHORT
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: 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

Brief summary: 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.

Detailed description: 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."

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

18 years of age Diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic 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

Primary outcomes:
measure: To develop a novel assessment tool to assess taste disturbances in patients with advanced cancer
timeFrame: December 2025
measure: To validate the newly developed Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (TQ-PAL)
timeFrame: December 2025
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Dublin
country: Ireland
facility: Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services
Study officials:
affiliation: Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services
name: Andrew Davies, FRCP
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Hannon M, Shaw A, Connolly M, Davies A. Taste disturbance in patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review of clinical features and complications. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Sep 6;31(10):562. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08012-x.
citation: McGettigan N, Dhuibhir PU, Barrett M, Sui J, Balding L, Higgins S, O'Leary N, Kennedy A, Walsh D. Subjective and Objective Assessment of Taste and Smell Sensation in Advanced Cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2019 Aug;36(8):688-696. doi: 10.1177/1049909119832836. Epub 2019 Mar 3.
citation: Hutton JL, Baracos VE, Wismer WV. Chemosensory dysfunction is a primary factor in the evolution of declining nutritional status and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Feb;33(2):156-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2006.07.017.
citation: Kirkova J, Walsh D, Rybicki L, Davis MP, Aktas A, Tao Jin, Homsi J. Symptom severity and distress in advanced cancer. Palliat Med. 2010 Apr;24(3):330-9. doi: 10.1177/0269216309356380. Epub 2009 Dec 16.