Background. Sporadic observations suggest a possible taste impairment
in AL amyloidosis, but the frequency and intensity of this sensory ano
maly are not known. Materials and Methods. We submitted 21 AL amyloido
tic patients, drawn from subjects referred to the Amyloidosis Study Ce
nter of the Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, Unive
rsity of Pavia, to suprathreshold scaling analysis. Results. Taste acu
ity was reduced in most of them. Every taste showed independent behavi
or, and 90% of these patients were hypogeusic. True ageusia for one or
two tastes was observed in 35% of patients. No patient was aware of r
educed taste acuity. Macroglossia did not seem to play a prominent rol
e in dulling tastes. Conclusions. Impairment of taste perception sugge
sts that gustative neuropathy is a frequently unnoticed expression of
sensory involvement in AL amyloidosis.