Possible relations between sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide and goiter.

Taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) using the Harris-Kalmus method was studied in 193 patients with thyroid disease and in a control sample of 311 individuals living in the Emilia area of Italy. The patients were classified according to the morphology of struma (mononodular, polynodular, diffuse) and to the toxic and nontoxic forms of goiter. Eighteen percent were nontasters in the control sample; 37.2% were nontasters in patients with polynodular goiter (toxic and nontoxic forms). Highly significant differences between the two groups were observed. The results obtained on this Italian sample agree with the conclusions of other studies.