Association between Dysgeusia and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study With Propensity Score-Matched Analyses.

PURPOSE: Dysgeusia impairs quality of life and nutrition, and may be linked to cardiovascular disease risk, but its direct association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate the independent association between dysgeusia and ASCVD.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a nationally representative population sample. The association between dysgeusia and ASCVD was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet quality, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, periodontitis, diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to further control for confounding and to validate the findings.

RESULTS

In the unadjusted model, dysgeusia was significantly associated with higher odds of ASCVD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-2.55; P 0.01). After full adjustment, the association remained significant (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01-2.13; P = 0.05). PSM analysis further confirmed this relationship, showing that individuals with dysgeusia had 87% greater odds of ASCVD compared to matched controls (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.08-3.23; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Dysgeusia is independently associated with increased odds of ASCVD, even after comprehensive adjustment and PSM. Dysgeusia may serve as a novel and clinically relevant potential indicator for ASCVD, warranting further investigation in prospective studies.