TQ-PAL Development and Validation
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: completion of a questionnaire.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Altered Taste. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Ireland
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
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
Overview
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."
Interventions
- Other completion of a questionnaire
completion of a questionnaire by participant
Primary outcome measures
- To develop a novel assessment tool to assess taste disturbances in patients with advanced cancer [Time frame: December 2025]
- To validate the newly developed Taste Questionnaire in Palliative Care (TQ-PAL) [Time frame: December 2025]
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
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Ireland · 1 center
- Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services — Dublin
Publications
- 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. PMID 37672147
- 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. PMID 30827119
- 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. PMID 17280921
- 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. PMID 20015920
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06588933 · Our Lady's Hospice