Sniffin'Sticks (R): a new instrument to assess olfactory performance in clinical practice

Introduction: The Sniffin'Sticks test battery consists of a short screening lest and tests for odor detection thresholds (using n-butanol), odor discr imination and odor identification. We evaluated the usefulness of this new test in clinical practice and propose normative values. Material and methods: In the present study 30 normosmic and 15 anosmic volu nteers as well as 35 patients with various olfactory dysfunctions were exam ined. Results: All four Sniffin'Sticks tests were able to separate normosmics and anosmics in a highly significant manner. Even a small decrease in olfactor y performance was detectable in elderly patients. For practical purposes th e sensitivity of the test for screening test was found to be too low. The g ood correlation between the individual Sniffin'Sticks tests and the correla tion between the Sniffin'Sticks test battery and the "University of Pennsyl vania Smell Identification Test" (UPSIT) lest battery and the "University o f Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test" (UPSIT) document the reliability of these tests. Conclusions: Our findings show that the Sniffin'Sticks are well suited to a ssess olfactory performance in clinical practice.