Sniffin'Sticks (R): a new olfactory test battery

The olfactory test battery "Sniffin'Sticks(R)" comprises a perception thres hold test, an odour discrimination test and an odour identification test. T he purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of the Sniffin'Stic ks(R) for use in everyday practice and to obtain (at least provisional) nor mal values. Thirty normosmic and 15 anosmic volunteers were examined with t he Sniffin'Sticks(R) and the "University of Pennsylvania Smell Identificati on Test" (UPSIT(R)). All three Sniffin'Sticks(R) tests distinguish between normosmics and anosmics in a highly significant manner. The good correlatio n of the individual tests with each other and with the results of the UPSIT (R) documents the reliability of the test results. Critical mention must be made of the overly complex determination of the olfactory threshold. In co nclusion, the Sniffin'Sticks(R) test battery provides a validated instrumen t adapted to European conditions for the examination of olfactory disorders . It has proven successful in everyday clinical practice and constitutes a major aid for compiling medical certificates.