Taste perception and food preferences in patients with diabetic foot ulcers before and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on taste perception and food preferences in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS: The study involved 75 healthy people (Group C) and 23 patients with diabetic foot ulcers before HBOT (Group Db) and after 25-30 HBOT treatments (Group Da) (2.5 ATA, 87 min). The sip and spit method was used to examine the taste perception for 5 basic flavours. Food preferences were studied using photographs of dishes.

RESULTS: The recognition thresholds in Group C were lower than in Group Db for 5 basic flavours. The taste intensity in Group C was higher than in Group Db for: 0.1% and 1.0% monosodium glutamate, 0.02% citric acid, and 0.002% quinine hydrochloride. The hedonic response in Group C was more negative than in Group Db for: 0.18% sodium chloride, 0.3% monosodium glutamate and 0.1% citric acid. The pleasure derived from eating in Group C was lower than in Group Db for sour and salty products. The recognition thresholds in Group Db were higher than in Group Da for umami and sour. The taste intensity in Group Db was lower than in Group Da for: 0.1%, 0.3% and 1.0% monosodium glutamate. The pleasure derived from eating in Group Db was higher than in Group Da for chocolate and crisps.

CONCLUSIONS: In people with diabetic foot ulcers, an impaired all 5 basic tastes occurred with different food preferences compared to healthy people. HBOT causes beneficial changes resulting in increased sensitivity to umami and sour taste as well as a decrease in the pleasure derived from eating chocolate and crisps.