P089 - ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TASTE DISORDERS AND MALNUTRITION IN OLDER ADULTS

P089

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TASTE DISORDERS AND MALNUTRITION IN OLDER ADULTS

S. Bauer^1,*, V. Blanar, PhD², J. Pospichal, PhD², M. Chrastecka², D. Eglseer¹

¹Department of Nursing Science, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria, ²Faculty of Health Studies, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic

Rationale: Taste disorders and malnutrition are both age-related conditions that can have detrimental effects on health. Emerging evidence suggests that these conditions may be interrelated, potentially exacerbating their negative consequences. This scoping review aims to synthesize the current knowledge on the association between taste disorders and malnutrition in older adults. 

Methods: Four electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science were systematically searched. Title and abstract screening as well as full text screening was performed by two authors independently. Studies on older adults (65+) in various settings that examined the association between taste disorders and malnutrition were included. Data extraction was performed using a standardized template. 

Results: The literature search yielded 1060 results, of which 40 studies were included in this scoping review. The majority of these studies were performed in acute care (50%). Most studies assessed taste using subjective methods alone (e.g., self-developed questionnaires, 47.5%) and evaluated malnutrition using various parameter combinations (e.g., BMI and appetite, 67.5%). Studies employing subjective methods frequently reported associations between taste disorders and nutritional intake, malnutrition risk, and unintentional weight loss. In contrast, studies utilizing objective taste assessment methods only occasionally detected an association between taste disorders and malnutrition parameters.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that subjective and objective assessments may capture different aspects of taste disorders. Further research in this field is essential to deepen the understanding of the complex associations between taste disorders and malnutrition parameters. Increasing awareness of the clinical relevance of taste disorders is crucial, as it may enhance their identification and facilitate appropriate treatment strategies.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared