Olfactory screening: validation of Sniffin' Sticks in Denmark

• Published in: Clinical otolaryngology 2015-12, Vol.40 (6), p.545-550
• Main Authors: Fjaeldstad, A., Kjaergaard, T., Van Hartevelt, T.J., Moeller, A., Kringelbach, M.L., Ovesen, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Denmark - epidemiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Odorants; Olfaction Disorders - diagnosis; Olfaction Disorders - epidemiology; Olfaction Disorders - physiopathology; Prospective Studies; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results; Sensory Thresholds - physiology; Smell - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1749-4478; 1749-4486
• DOI: 10.1111/coa.12405

Objectives The Sniffin' Sticks 12‐identification test (SIT‐12) is the most commonly applied Danish olfaction screening tool; however, it has never been validated in a Danish population. The screening score depends on familiarity with descriptors, which is strongly influenced by linguistic and cultural factors, why validation is mandatory. This study aimed to validate the SIT‐12 in a Danish population. Design Prospective controlled study. Setting Otorhinolaryngology department. Participants The SIT‐12 was applied to 100 normosmic, healthy adult Danish participants. Main outcome measures Choice of descriptors was registered, along with nasal endoscopic examination, screening for cognitive impairment, depression and sinonasal symptoms. Descriptors of the original version of SIT‐12 were evaluated in 50 participants, and misleading descriptors were identified. Modifications to these descriptors were subsequently validated in a comparable group of 50 participants. Results Mean odorant identification score in the evaluation group was 11.0 of a possible 12, and 11.6 in the validation group (P