Chronic oral graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) is a frequent late effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). It can manifest through diverse oral complications such as mucosal abnormalities, impaired salivary gland activity, and restricted jaw movement. Sensory issues involving taste and smell may also arise; however, the occurrence, characteristics, severity, and their influence on quality of life (QoL) remain insufficiently defined. This study aimed to determine how common and severe taste and smell disturbances are, describe their characteristics, evaluate their effect on QoL, and explore whether altered sensory function is associated with oral mucosal cGvHD or hyposalivation. Individuals who had undergone alloHSCT at least 100 days earlier and were referred for symptoms linked to oral cGvHD were invited to participate in this cross-sectional investigation. Oral mucosal cGvHD signs were clinically scored, both stimulated and unstimulated saliva flow rates were recorded, and objective taste and smell assessments were performed. Self-reported sensory changes and measures of overall and oral-health–related QoL were also collected. Forty-five participants were enrolled. Objective testing showed reduced taste function (hypogeusia) in 68.9%, decreased olfactory function in 28.9%, and complete anosmia in 11.1%. Despite this, only 31.1% reported severe and 22% reported moderate taste disturbances, indicating that many were unaware of their deficits. Sensory impairments did not correlate with oral mucosal cGvHD or low salivary flow. Most recipients experienced diminished oral-health–related QoL; however, no clear association between sensory ability and either global or oral-health–specific QoL emerged. Taste and smell dysfunctions are frequent after alloHSCT. Although many patients report poorer oral-health–related QoL, the precise contribution of these sensory disturbances requires further clarification.
