Results:The duration of illness was significantly longer(19.3±28.1 mo vs. 8.9±16.8 mo), trigger rate of onset was significantly shorter(46% vs. 74%), and medication history and prevalence of systemic diseases were significantly higher in the elderly group(91% vs. 70%, 93% vs. 59%). The causes of dysgeusia were similar in both groups, but the elderly group was less psychogenic than the non-elderly group, and the proportion of oral diseases and zinc deficiency was higher in the former. About 20% of this group had oral diseases, almost all of which were oral candidiasis. However, about 40% of these cases did not suggest candidiasis only by medical examination. The response to treatment among the elderly was about 75% of that among the non-elderly and their treatment period tended to be longer. In both groups, the longer the illness duration, the lower the improvement rate and the longer the treatment period.