Comparative Evaluation of Dysgeusia in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease with or without Xerostomia as a Contributory Factor: A Research Protocol

Introduction: End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the final stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), when the kidneys can no longer function on their own. At this stage, ESRD patients present with multiple signs and symptoms, including dysgeusia. A common oral finding is significant xerostomia, frequently seen in ESRD patients due to reduced salivary flow, dehydration and medication effects, which can alter the oral environment and impact taste perception. Xerostomia has been identified as a significant contributor that may exacerbate taste disturbances. Need of the study: Dysgeusia, a persistent alteration in taste perception, is a common yet often overlooked complication in patients with ESRD. The pathophysiology of dysgeusia in ESRD is multifactorial, involving uraemic toxin accumulation, medication side-effects and nutritional deficiencies. This can significantly affect the quality of life, making early diagnosis and appropriate management crucial in ESRD patients. Previous studies have stated the association of xerostomia in ESRD patients. However, there is a paucity in the literature regarding the association of the severity of xerostomia with the grading of dysgeusia in ESRD patients. Aim: To evaluate and compare dysgeusia in patients with ESRD with or without xerostomia as a contributory factor. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study will be conducted in the Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, along with the Oral Medicine Radiology Department at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, from April 2025 to March 2026. Patients will be divided into two groups: Group-A, suffering from ESRD with xerostomia and Group-B, without xerostomia. Xerostomia evaluation will be done by subjective and objective methods using a questionnaire and Modified Schirmer test protocol. Then these patients will be graded for dysgeusia. Outcome will be recorded and statistical analysis will be done by performing student’s t-test and Chisquare test. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.