Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15644/asc60/3/7
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Clinicians Regarding Dysgeusia as a Complication of (Chemo) Radiotherapy
Marija Pavić
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Diana Rogga
; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Irina Irina Filipović Zore
; Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Oral Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Fröbe
; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia; Chair of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Prpić
; Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia; Chair of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the current knowledge, attitudes, and everyday practice of specialists and residents treating patients with head and neck tumors about dysgeusia that developed due to chemoradiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Specialists and residents treating oncologic patients with head and neck tumors were distributed anonymous questionnaires, available in both physical and online formats via Google Forms. The research was authorized under the ethics protocol number 05-PA-2-5/25. Results: In this study, 89 respondents (mean age 39.4 ± 11.3 years) participated, comprising 62.9% men and 31.7% women, with 13.1 ± 10.8 years of work experience. A total of 36.0% of
respondents were not familiar with dysgeusia at the time of their study, and 33.7% of them were not educated about dysgeusia as a complication of chemoradiotherapy. Also, 23.6% of respondents are unfamiliar with the fact that effective therapy for dysgeusia has not yet been discovered. Only 9% of respondents agreed, and 2.3% of them strongly agreed, that verified, professional information about dysgeusia is easily available. A total of 3.6% of respondents reported that they sometimes successfully treat dysgeusia with zinc supplementation, 10.1% of them reported ‘usually’, and 3.4% of them
‘always’. Conclusions: Doctors who treat oncological patients often lack specific basic knowledge, attitudes, and approaches to patients in everyday practice, which vary from doctor to doctor. To ensure a high-quality approach for the patients mentioned, it is necessary to expand research on dysgeusia and improve access to professional literature.
Keywords
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Medical Staff; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Dysgeusia; Head and neck tumors; Chemoradiotherapy; Taste disorders
Hrčak ID:
351115
URI
Publication date:
20.9.2026.
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