The Korean version of the Sniffin' stick (KVSS) test and its validity in comparison with the cross-cultural smell identification test (CC-SIT)

Objective

The Korean Version of the Sniffin’ stick (KVSS) is the first olfactory test for Koreans. Although we adopted the Sniffin’ Stick, we modified it to make it more suitable for Koreans. KVSS I is a screening test, and KVSS II a more comprehensive test. The aims of this study were to apply the KVSS test and assess its clinical validity and reliability in comparison to CC-SIT.

Methods

One hundred and seventy-four healthy volunteers and 206 patients with subjective decreased olfaction participated. Each participant was tested with both the CC-SIT and KVSS tests and then the correlation between these two tests was analyzed.

Results

The correlation between CC-SIT and KVSS I was 0.720 (p < 0.01) and 0.714 between the CC-SIT and KVSS II total scores (p < 0.01). When the degree of olfaction based on the KVSS I was used, the mean CC-SIT score was 8.6±1.8 for normosmia, 7.3±2.2 for hyposmia, and 4.2±2.3 for anosmia. When the KVSS II total was applied, the mean CC-SIT score was 8.4±1.8 for normosmia, 7.3±2.0 for hyposmia, and 3.7±2.0 for anosmia. The means of the three group differed significantly in both cases (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Thus, the KVSS test demonstrates validity and reliability for Korean in comparison with CC-SIT.     

Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis: correlation with computed tomography findings

AIMS: This study evaluates if a computed tomography (CT) scan is useful to assess the olfactory loss in sinonasal disease, and if a preoperative CT scan has a predictive value for the long-term outcome regarding olfaction. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with nasal polyposis were included. Olfactory function was assessed with the 'Sniffin' Sticks' test and subjective perception recorded with a visual analogue scale. CT scans were assessed with the Lund-Mackay system and the Damm nasal segmentation. Patients were retested after endoscopic sinus surgery in a follow-up appointment at least 1 year later. RESULTS: Disease in the upper meatus and the posterior portion of the middle meatus strongly affects olfactory function. Lund-Mackay scores were significantly correlated with preoperative olfactory test results. Preoperative subjective ratings had a significant correlation only with present disease in the anterior upper meatus. Postoperative results were significantly decreased. Their relative percentage change was correlated only with the preoperative presence of disease in the anterior upper meatus. No correlation was found between the Lund-Mackay score and the postoperative olfactory results. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory dysfunction in nasal polyposis is strongly related to specific obstructed nasal areas. A CT scan has no predictive value for the long-term surgical outcome regarding olfaction.     

Proteomics blood testing to distinguish chronic rhinosinusitis subtypes

Objectives: To evaluate the potential of surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF‐MS) proteomic profiling of serum samples to distinguish chronic rhinosinusitis subtypes. Study Design: Translational study of serum samples from prospectively enrolled patients undergoing sinus surgery. Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis were prospectively enrolled in an ongoing, institutional review board approved proteomics study. SELDI‐TOF‐MS was performed on 42 serum samples in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (15 patients diagnosed with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, 10 patients with Samter's triad, and 17 with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis). Classification tree analysis on protein spectra developed from peaks detected in the 0 to 100 kD range was performed to identify disease subtypes. Results: SELDI‐TOF‐MS correctly identified patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis from serum samples with 84% sensitivity and 90% specificity, and correctly identified patients with Samter's triad with 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity in two subtype comparison groups. SELDI‐TOF‐MS correctly identified patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis with 76% sensitivity and 82% specificity, and correctly identified patients with Samter's triad with 80% sensitivity and 90% specificity in three subtype comparison groups. Conclusion: The study provides molecular evidence that allergic fungal rhinosinusitis is a discrete subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis. SELDI‐TOF‐MS is a promising technology that could lead to the development of a rapid blood test, to identify severe chronic rhinosinusitis subtypes. Further investigation into the utility of this technology is warranted.     

Nasal eosinophilia as a marker for allergic rhinitis: a controlled study of 50 patients

Eosinophils are the principal effector cells involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. We conducted a study to investigate the validity of the nasal smear examination for detecting eosinophilia in patients with allergic rhinitis. Our study group was made up of 50 patients with allergic rhinitis and 50 age- and sex-matched controls without allergic rhinitis. Smears were obtained from nasal secretions in both groups and then fixed, stained, and studied under light microscopy. Statistical analysis revealed that the odds ratio for eosinophilia positivity in nasal smears in the rhinitis group was 25.61 with a 95% confidence interval of 8 to 78. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of this test were 74, 90, 88, and 77%, respectively. We conclude that the nasal eosinophilia test is highly specific and moderately sensitive in diagnosing allergic rhinitis, and that it therefore can be used as an easy, noninvasive, and inexpensive procedure for screening patients and for conducting epidemiologic studies of this disorder.     

Olfactory function and nasal manifestations of Behçet's disease

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Behçet's disease on olfactory function, the nasal mucosa, and nasal symptoms.MethodsA total of 30 patients with Behçet's disease and 30 healthy individuals volunteered to enroll in the study. Any condition leading to olfactory dysfunction was a criterion for exclusion. Nasal endoscopy was carried out individually, and nasal symptoms were assessed. An olfactory function assessment test defined by the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) was carried out. n-Butanol odor threshold and odor identification tests were performed, and the CCCRC test score (0: worst score; 7: best score) was calculated. The relationship between nasal findings, nasal symptoms, and olfactory function was evaluated.ResultsThe mean age of each group was the late 1930s, and demographic differences were not significant. n-Butanol threshold test scores were 5.57 ± 1.0 and 6.47 ± 0.7 out of 7 for subjects with Behçet's disease and the healthy control group, respectively. Identification test scores were 4.93 ± 1.3 and 6.15 ± 0.8 out of 7 and the mean CCCRC scores were 5.25 ± 1.0 and 6.31 ± 0.6, respectively, with significant differences (p < 0.001). Some nasal symptoms were significantly more common in patients with nasal findings, but no correlation was found between nasal findings and olfactory function.ConclusionAlthough Behçet's disease has been shown to involve the nasal cavity, its effects on olfactory function are unknown. The significant difference in CCCRC scores suggests, for the first time, that olfactory dysfunction is associated with Behçet's disease. Nasal symptoms are associated with the presence of nasal lesions, but there is no correlation between nasal findings and olfactory function.     

Effects of smoking on odour identification in Japanese subjects

OBJECTIVES: Effects of smoking on olfaction appear to be well-known. However, there are not many studies that studied these effects on the basis of olfactory testing, and no studies on this topic have been performed so far in an Asian population. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of smoking on odour identification. METHODS: Five hundred fifty seven Japanese subjects (368 men and 189 women) were given the cross-cultural smell identification test (CC-SIT). Their history was taken with special regard to nasal disease and smoking. Urine nicotine level was assessed in 107 subjects. RESULTS: The CC-SIT scores of current and previous smokers were lower than those of nonsmoking subjects (p < 0.05). The Brinkman index (BI) and CC-SIT score were correlated even when controlling for the subjects' age (r = -0.24, p < 0.001). The time since quitting cigarette smoking did not exhibit a relation with the CC-SIT score (r = -0.04, p = 0.76). In addition, urine levels of nicotine and its metabolites exhibited no significant correlation with the CC-SIT score (r = -0.08, p = 0.40). CONCLUSION: Smoking reduces olfactory function. Apparently, recovery of olfactory sensitivity after cessation of smoking appears to be exceptional.     

Olfactory changes at threshold and suprathreshold levels following septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy

Partial inferior turbinectomy with septoplasty is routinely carried out for airway obstruction. However, its effects on the sense of smell have not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of septoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy on threshold and suprathreshold olfactory acuity. The subjects were 30 patients undergoing septoplasty including partial inferior turbinectomy. Olfactory function was determined by the "Sniffin' Sticks," which allow the assessment of odor thresholds, odor discrimination, and odor identification. The patients rated both olfactory function and nasal airflow using visual analog scales. Nasal airflow was measured by anterior rhinomanometry. Multivariate analyses of variance for repeated measures were used to analyze the results before and after surgery (mean interval, 9.1 weeks). After operation, 87% of the patients had increased airflow, 80% had improved olfactory function in terms of odor identification, and in 70% odor discrimination was found to be improved - but only 54% had improved olfactory function in terms of odor thresholds. Surgery increased ratings of nasal airflow in 93%, and those of olfactory function in 77% (p < .001). Similarly, bilateral inspiratory nasal flow increased (p < .001) and olfactory function was improved (p < .001) after surgical treatment. However, this increase was most pronounced for suprathreshold tests, while it was moderate for odor thresholds (interaction "surgery" x "olfactory test," p = .001). The present investigation suggests that septoplasty in combination with inferior turbinectomy has a beneficial effect on olfaction, mainly on suprathreshold olfactory functions. This effect may be partly due to interactions between the increased perception of nasal airflow and cognitive factors involved in olfactory sensitivity. According to the present results and data from the literature, a moderate decrease of olfactory function appears to occur in as many as 20% of patients. However, anosmia seems to be an extremely rare complication of septoplasty and partial turbinectomy.     

Sense of smell in long-standing nasal polyposis.

An impaired sense of smell is a common complaint in patients with nasal polyposis, and hyposmia is usually attributed to obstruction of the nasal airways. The duration of nasal polyposis and nasal surgery may also affect olfaction. It has been shown that aging and chronic rhinitis both impair olfaction. The aim of our study was to evaluate the sense of smell in patients who had had nasal polyposisfor at least 20 years. The olfactory threshold was assessed with a commercially available odor detection threshold test. The threshold of 19 (46%) of 41 patients was greater than the age-related upper 95% reference limit. In a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis of all the polyposis patients, the degree of opacity of ethmoidal sinuses seen in computed tomography (CT), polyposis visible in anterior rhinoscopy, total nasal resistance, and gender had a significant association with olfactory threshold.     

Utility of a three-item smell identification test in detecting olfactory dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: Physicians rarely assess smell function, largely because of time considerations. Therefore, there is clinical need for very brief cranial nerve I screening tests. Although a few such tests exist, none have been adequately validated. The goal of this study was to empirically assess the utility of a three-item microencapsulated odor identification test in detecting olfactory dysfunction. SETTING: Smell and taste center at a university medical center. METHODS: The test was administered to 224 consecutive patients (98 men and 126 women ranging in age from 15-88 years). As part of their overall assessment, the well-validated 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) was also administered. Sensitivity, specificity, and both negative and positive predictive values of the three-item test were established relative to UPSIT dysfunction categories. Test-retest reliability was determined in a subset of 39 patients. RESULTS: The three-item test was abnormal in 99% (67/68) of patients with anosmia, 85% (35/41) of those with severe microsmia, 76% (31/41) of those with moderate microsmia, and 50% (17/34) of those with mild microsmia. Of the 40 normosmic patients, 62.5% (25/40) correctly identified all odors, 25% (10/40) two odors, and 12.5% (5/40) one odor. None of the normosmic patients missed all three items. Using a cut-off score of 2, the test's sensitivity and specificity were 99% and 40%, respectively, for detecting total anosmia. The corresponding negative and positive predictive values were 98% and 43%. For detecting anosmia and severe microsmia, these values were 93%, 45%, 88%, and 63%. For detecting any olfactory pathology, they were 82%, 63%, 42%, and 91%. The test-retest reliability was 0.87. CONCLUSION: The brief three-item test used in this study was found to be highly sensitive in identifying olfactory loss in patients with chemosensory complaints, particularly those with severe dysfunction. Although only moderately specific, its high reliability and negative predictive value suggests it may be an appropriate screening test for olfactory loss.     

Identifying normosmics: a comparison of two populations

An olfactory function test developed by the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) was administered to 65 normal subjects to determine its ability to identify normosmic subjects. The CCCRC test categorizes individuals into five distinct levels of olfactory functioning according to composite score ranges derived from odor identification and butanol threshold subtests. These categories are: normosmic (normal); mildly, moderately, and severely hyposmic (impaired functioning); and anosmic (no sensation). Comparing score distributions from CCCRC with ours revealed that a greater percentage of our subjects were categorized as hyposmic because of higher butanol thresholds. The butanol threshold subtest was studied further to determine test-retest reliability and normal day-to-day variability in scores. Norms are the basis for interpreting test scores and are important in diagnosing and treating smell disorders.     

The Scandinavian Odor-Identification Test: Development,Reliability, Validity and Normative Data

The Scandinavian Odor-Identification Test (SOIT) was developed to address the need for a culturally valid odor-identifi cation test for clinical use on the Scandinavian population that (i) has good ability to generalize performance to olfactory status, (ii) assesses olfactory and trigeminal function separately, (iii) requires only limited cognitive demands, (iv) has normative data and good sensitivity and specificity, and (v) is fast, easy to administer and inexpensive. Sixteen odorous test stimuli were selected that were relatively identifiable, familiar, strong in intensity and pleasant according to healthy participants. Four response alternatives were then selected for each test stimulus based on a confusion matrix of identification rates obtained from healthy participants, in a manner that controlled for task difficulty. Results on the SOIT from healthy persons and hyposmic patients showed satisfactory test-retest reliability, split-half reliability and validity. Cut-off scores for olfactory diagnosis (normosmia, hyposmia, anosmia) based on normative data obtained from 171 healthy persons showed a satisfactory sensitivity and specificity of the SOIT. Assessment of 22 anosmic patients with the SOIT revealed that three of the test stimuli were significant trigeminal stimulants.     

Nasal polyps in the olfactory cleft

Objectives: Nasal polyps frequently arise from the middle meatus in patients with nasal polyposis, but caution is required when polyps are seen protruding from the olfactory cleft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a method to achieve effective and safe access to the olfactory cleft, and to determine the actual incidence of polyps arising from the olfactory cleft in patients with nasal polyposis. Patients: Eighty-four patients with bilateral or unilateral nasal polyps (n = 143) ranging in age from 16 to 72 years underwent endoscopic sinus surgery in the period from January 1994 to December 1996. Methods: To observe and gain access to the olfactory cleft, septoplasty combined with endoscopic sinus surgery was needed in patients with nasal polyposis. Results: The endoscopy during the combined septoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery revealed that 36.4% (n = 52) of bilateral or unilateral nasal polyps (n = 143) arose from the olfactory cleft. Of 52 polyps of olfactory cleft origin, 45 (86.5%) arose from the superior turbinate and/or superior meatus, 32 (67.3%) from the medial side of the middle turbinate, 24 (46.2%) from the anterior face of the sphenoid sinus, and 17 (32.7%) from the mucosa of the nasal septum. Conclusions: These findings suggest that for surgeries of nasal polyposis an approach to the olfactory cleft as well as to the middle meatus is required.     

A new clinical olfactory function test: cross-cultural influence

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a new clinical olfactory test, the Odor Stick Identification Test for Japanese (OSIT-J), can be used to assess olfactory function cross-culturally in a US patient population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional prospective study. SETTING: A university medical center otolaryngology clinic. PATIENTS: Fifty US patients presenting with complaints of olfactory dysfunction from December 2004 to January 2006. INTERVENTIONS: Olfactory testing and patient interview. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of test results obtained with the OSIT-J, the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory function test, and patients' self-reported level of olfactory function. Patients' opinions regarding the 2 test methods were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD time required to administer the OSIT-J (8 +/- 1 minutes) was shorter than that required for the standard CCCRC test (21 +/- 6 minutes). Significant Spearman rank correlations were found between the OSIT-J and CCCRC test scores (r(s) = 0.80, P<.001, n = 50), and patients' self-reported level of olfactory function (r(s) = 0.73, P<.001, n = 50). Although 3 of the 13 odors used in the OSIT-J were not familiar to US subjects, patients reported that the OSIT-J was easier, more interesting, and the odors used more pleasant than the CCCRC test. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory function tests developed in different countries should be evaluated to determine if a cross-cultural bias exists among test odorants. Although a cultural bias was detected for a few odorants, this study demonstrates that a modified version of the OSIT-J can be used to assess olfactory function in US patients.     

慢性鼻窦炎伴嗅觉障碍患者嗅黏膜中PCNA与LNGFr表达的改变

目的:研究增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)、低亲和力神经生长因子受体(LNGFr)在慢性鼻窦炎伴嗅觉障碍患者嗅觉神经元(ORNs)的表达以及LNGFr的调控作用。方法:采用CCCRC方法对46例行功能性鼻内镜手术治疗的患者进行嗅觉评分并分为3组:A组为慢性鼻窦炎伴嗅觉障碍25例;B组为慢性鼻窦炎不伴嗅觉障碍10例;C组为单纯鼻中隔偏曲行鼻中隔矫正术11例。采用免疫组织化学方法检测PCNA和LNGFr在3组患者嗅黏膜中的表达。结果:PCNA和LNGFr在A组嗅黏膜基底细胞中的表达显著高于B组(P<0.01)和C组(P<0.01);A组中,PCNA在基底细胞中表达的阳性细胞数与嗅觉评分呈负相关(r=-0.7441,P<0.01);LNG-Fr着色强度的积分光度值与嗅觉评分呈负相关(r=-0.440 7,P<0.05);LNGFr着色强度的积分光度值与PCNA的阳性细胞数呈正相关(r=0.5317,P<0.01)。结论:慢性鼻窦炎伴嗅觉障碍患者嗅黏膜中神经干细胞即基底细胞大量增殖,其增殖能力的增强与LNGFr的表达上调有关。     

Assessment the long-term effects of septoplasty surgery on olfactory function

Objectives: This research aimed to evaluate pre-operatively and post-operatively the olfactory function of patients who had undergone surgery in our clinic for chronic nasal blockage via the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) smell test.

Method: Thirty-seven patients (24 females, 13 males) were enrolled in this study. All had undergone surgery in our clinic due to chronic nasal blockage (not for smell dysfunction), having been diagnosed with septal deviation in conjunction with concha bullosa and/or inferior turbinate hypertrophy. This is a prospective study without a control group. The mean age was 33.74?±?8.98 (range =19–54). All of the operations were performed under general anesthesia. CCCRC smell tests were performed on every patient before the operation and at post-operative 1st week, 6th week, 6th month, and 1st year.

Results: In this study, we found that septoplasty, in conjunction with middle concha surgery and/or inferior concha radiofrequency, did not affect the olfactory function negatively.

Conclusion: Although nasal surgery has the potential to affect the smell function negatively, it was found that olfactory function was not affected after the surgery during a considerably long follow-up period. Moreover, an improvement in smell function was detected at post-operative 6th month and 1st year.     

Testing olfaction in a clinical setting

Assessment of olfactory functioning at the CCCRC entails a threshold test and an odor identification test that contains eight everyday items. A performance average on the two tests yields a composite score on a scale from 0 (anosmia) to 7 (normosmia). The performance of normal volunteers is stable over most of an individual's life span, but decreases for persons over the age of 65 years. Approximately half the patients with olfactory complaints display anosmia, and the other half have hyposmia. The distribution of scores, however, varies with etiologic category, emplified by the fact that patients with nasal/sinus disease display anosmia more frequently than hyposmia. The tests can determine cause (e.g., improvement of score with corticosteroid treatment in cases of nasal/sinus disease) and can also assess degree of improvement with treatment, such as sinus operation.     

Assessment of olfactory function after septoplasty: a longitudinal study

AIM: Aim of the study was to evaluate septoplasty-related changes of lateralised olfactory function during both early and late postoperative periods in comparison to the preoperative situation. MATERIAL/METHODS: Lateralised olfactory function was assessed in 30 patients using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery. Measurements were performed preoperatively, and 4 and 9 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Prior to septal surgery measurements revealed significantly higher odor thresholds for the obstructed nostril compared to contralateral thresholds. No such observations were made for suprathreshold measures. Postoperatively, a significant decline of odor discrimination was found in comparison to the preoperative situation. However, there was no significant change of odor thresholds and odor identification function during the 9-month postoperative follow up. On an individual basis, one of the initially normosmic patients became hyposmic following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that odor thresholds, but not suprathreshold olfactory function, are related to nasal obstruction resulting from septal deviation. In contrast, postoperative changes were only seen for odor discrimination. Apart from psychological explanations of this finding, it may be hypothesized that these observations result from changes in intranasal airflow following surgery.     

Diagnostic value of the prick test and tissue RAST in allergic nasal polyposis

Nasal polyposis is often accompanied by an allergy against inhaled allergens or various foods and drugs. We studied the relationship between nasal polyposis and type-I allergy, using a preoperative skin test on 43 patients with nasal polyposis. This was followed by RAST test of serum, nasal secretion and homogenized tissue from the polyps removed. The rest of the polyp material was examined histologically and cytologically for tissue eosinophilia. A type-I allergy was proved in 40% of the patients by the presence of the same IgE antibodies in the skin test and all the RASTs, accompanied by a distinct eosinophilia in the polyp tissue. In a further 40% of the cases most of the tests were positive, suggesting a probable allergic disposition. These results support the theory of an allergic genesis of many nasal polyps. The tissue RAST especially is of great diagnostic value. Thus, postoperative anti-allergic treatment of these patients should be successful.     

A comparison of skin endpoint titration and skin-prick testing in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis

Among the many methods of allergy diagnosis are intradermal testing (IDT) and skin-prick testing (SPT). The usefulness of IDT has been called into question by some authors, while others believe that studies demonstrating that SPT was superior might have been subject to bias. We conducted a study to compare the validity of SPT and IDT--specifically, the skin endpoint titration (SET) type of IDT--in diagnosing allergic rhinitis. We performed nasal provocation testing on 62 patients to establish an unbiased screening criterion for study entry. Acoustic rhinometric measurements of the nasal responses revealed that 34 patients tested positive and 28 negative. All patients were subsequently tested by SET and SPT. We found that SPT was more sensitive (85.3 vs 79.4%) and more specific (78.6 vs 67.9%) than SET as a screening procedure. The positive predictive value of SPT was greater than that of SET (82.9 vs 75.0%), as was the negative predictive value (81.5 vs 73.0%). None of these differences was statistically significant; because of the relatively small sample size, our study was powered to show only equivalency. The results of our study suggest that the information obtained by the SET method of IDT is comparable to that obtained by SPT in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and overall performance and that both SET and SPT correlate well with nasal provocation testing for ragweed. Therefore, the decision as to which to use can be based on other factors, such as the practitioner's training, the desire for quantitative results, the desire for rapid results, and the type of treatment (i.e., immunotherapy or pharmacotherapy) that is likely to be chosen on the basis of test results.     

Multicenter investigation of 1,036 subjects using a standardized method for the assessment of olfactory function combining tests of odor identification, odor discrimination, and olfactory thresholds

“Sniffin’ Sticks” is a test of nasal chemosensory performance that is based on penlike odor-dispensing devices. It is comprised of three tests of olfactory function: tests for odor threshold, discrimination and identification. Previous work has already established its test-retest reliability and validity in comparison to established measures of olfactory sensitivity. The results of this test are presented as a composite TDI score – i.e., the sum of results obtained for threshold, discrimination and identification measures. The present multicenter investigation aimed at providing normative values in relation to different age groups. To this end, 966 patients were investigated in 11 centers. An additional study tried to establish values for the identification of anosmic patients, with 70 anosmics investigated in five specialized centers where the presence of anosmia was confirmed by means of olfactory evoked potentials. For healthy subjects, the TDI score at the 10th percentile was 24.5 in subjects younger than 15 years, 30.3 for ages from 16 to 35 years, 28.8 for ages from 36 to 55 years and 27.5 for subjects older than 55 years. While these data can be used to estimate individual olfactory abilities in relation to a subject’s age, hyposmia was defined as the 10th percentile score of 16- to 35-year-old subjects. Our latter study revealed that none of 70 anosmics reached a TDI score higher than 15. This score of 15 is regarded as the cut-off value for functional anosmia. These results provide the basis for the routine clinical evaluation of patients with olfactory disorders using “Sniffin’ Sticks.” Received: 29 May 1999 / Accepted: 9 September 1999