Dysgeusia and Dysosmia in Chronic Kidney Disease: NHANES 2011-2014

Objective: Dysgeusia and dysosmia are known to be associated with end-stage renal disease. Whether dysgeusia and dysosmia are associated with nondialysis-requiring chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unknown.

Methods: We utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during years 2011-14. We classified CKD by stage using standard criteria for the estimated glomerular filtration rate and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the independent associations among CKD, CKD stage, and dysgeusia and dysosmia using a ChemoSensory Questionnaire.

Results: After adjusting for the residual effects of age, sex, self-reported race, and diabetes, nondialysis-requiring CKD was significantly associated with dysgeusia ([odds ratio, 95% confidence interval] 1.34 [1.05, 1.70]); the association with dysosmia was of borderline significance, odds ratio 1.27 (0.97, 1.68). Odds of dysgeusia were higher at more severe CKD stages.

Conclusion: Nondialysis-requiring CKD is significantly associated with self-reported dysgeusia.