Effects of age, gender and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on taste acuity

Primary objective Multifactoral interactions of age, gender and medical conditions were investigated because of lack of definitive results in previous studies. Methods Absolute detection and recognition were determined thresholds using a three-alternative forced-choice test by younger men (n = 50) and women (n = 48); and by older men (n = 43) and women (n = 46) for each of the four basic tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty). Data from 46 elderly men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were included. Results Age was consistently associated with elevated recognition thresholds for each of the four tastants for men only. Gender differences were seen for absolute sweet thresholds and for sour, bitter, and sweet recognition thresholds for older participants. Men with COPD had the highest levels for absolute and recognition thresholds for each tastant. Conclusions Gender plays a role in taste perception. COPD diminishes taste.