Description
For sample adults, TASTECHG asks them to rate their ability to taste sweet, sour, salty, or bitter foods and drinks compared to 5 years ago or at the age of 25.
The 2021 field manual states the following:
All adults will also be asked to compare their ability to smell, to taste sweet, sour, salty, or bitter foods and drinks, and to taste flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry compared to when they were 25 or were 5 years younger than their current age if they are less than 30. Those who have problems will be asked whether they have discussed any problem with a doctor or other health professional, and if so, when was the last time.
TASTECHG is one of several questions sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to gather information on smell and taste disorders in adults. For more information and a complete list of these variables, see the description for TSTSMDOC.
