TASTE EVALUATION OF SUBJECTS USING HIV PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PrEP)

Objective To evaluate the taste of the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users over a 130-day follow-up. Study Design An observational and prospective study was performed. Taste was assessed by the chemotherapy-induced taste alteration scale (CiTAS). The higher the value obtained, the greater the taste change. Subjects were evaluated before beginning the medication (T0), at the first follow-up (T1), and at the second follow-up (T2). Results Forty-seven participants (41 men; 6 women) were evaluated at T0. Thirty (28 men; 2 women) and 17 men were reassessed at T1 and T2, respectively. The values of the basic taste dimension (T0=1.04±0.29; T1=1.16±0.64; T2=1.11±0.48); discomfort dimension (T0=1.54±0.55; T1=1.62±0.91; T2=1.37±0.41); false taste dimension (T0=1.03±0.15; T1=1.08±0.31; T2=1.05±0.24), and final CiTAS (T0=4.78±0.86; T1=5.14±1.78, T2=4.59±0.68) indicated a worsening of taste at interval I (n=30), which refers to the days elapsed from T0 to T1, with a mean of 34.24 (±2.87; 25-108) days. Interval II (n=17) refers to the days elapsed from T1 to T2, with a mean of 99.56 (±3.68; 80-126) days. Conclusion There was a worsening of the self-perception of taste after 34 days of the initial use of PrEP, and after about 100 days, it was similar to the stage before the use of medication. To evaluate the taste of the Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) users over a 130-day follow-up. An observational and prospective study was performed. Taste was assessed by the chemotherapy-induced taste alteration scale (CiTAS). The higher the value obtained, the greater the taste change. Subjects were evaluated before beginning the medication (T0), at the first follow-up (T1), and at the second follow-up (T2). Forty-seven participants (41 men; 6 women) were evaluated at T0. Thirty (28 men; 2 women) and 17 men were reassessed at T1 and T2, respectively. The values of the basic taste dimension (T0=1.04±0.29; T1=1.16±0.64; T2=1.11±0.48); discomfort dimension (T0=1.54±0.55; T1=1.62±0.91; T2=1.37±0.41); false taste dimension (T0=1.03±0.15; T1=1.08±0.31; T2=1.05±0.24), and final CiTAS (T0=4.78±0.86; T1=5.14±1.78, T2=4.59±0.68) indicated a worsening of taste at interval I (n=30), which refers to the days elapsed from T0 to T1, with a mean of 34.24 (±2.87; 25-108) days. Interval II (n=17) refers to the days elapsed from T1 to T2, with a mean of 99.56 (±3.68; 80-126) days. There was a worsening of the self-perception of taste after 34 days of the initial use of PrEP, and after about 100 days, it was similar to the stage before the use of medication.