Normative data of olfactory abilities using cultural adaption Sniffin’ sticks smell test in different age groups

Abstract

Objectives: To assess olfactory abilities using a culturally adapted Sniffin’ Sticks smell test in different age groups. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted at Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Secondary Science School, and Children Learning Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from August 2019 until December 2021. Results: In 450 healthy participants, the cut-off points of the threshold discrimination identification (TDI) scores at the 10th percentile for olfactory abilities were 19 in children, 30.1 in adolescents, 32.1 in young adults, 31.1 in middle-aged adults, and 28.6 in older adults. The children had significantly lower olfactory abilities, with the Bonferroni post-hoc tests of p <0.001. The young adults had higher olfactory abilities than older adults ( p <0.05). The results showed that the identification score was highest in middle-aged adults ( p <0.001). The discrimination score was the highest in young adults ( p <0.001). The best odor threshold performance was observed in adolescents ( p <0.001). The TDI score showed a significant difference in olfactory abilities between men and women ( p =0.001). Conclusion: Using a culturally adapted smell test, our population was able to identify, discriminate, and perceive odorants better than the European population. This data will help clinicians and researchers with a tool to reliably establish the correct results of olfactory function in our population. Women had better olfactory abilities than men.

Normative data for the Vietnamese smell identification test

“…There have been conflicting findings from studies evaluating the relation between age and olfactory performance. While several studies reported decreased olfactory ability in age groups over 55 years [16] , [24] , [25] , one study conducted in Malaysia revealed a different result whereby middle-aged adults (41–60 years) identified odors better than other age groups [20] . Evidence suggests that age-related olfactory impairments arise from a multitude of factors, such as anatomical and physiological changes, loss of selectivity of receptor cells to odorants, and changes in neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems [26] , [27] .…”

“…Normative data of the VSIT scores were recorded as means, standard deviations (SDs), medians, ranges, and percentiles, stratified for sex and age groups. The 10th percentile values in each age group and each sex were established to separate the normosmic from the hyposmic subjects [16] , [20] , [21] . Percentile ranks for olfactory function by age group and sex were also described.…”

Brain waves spectral analysis of human responses to odorous and non-odorous substances: a preliminary study

“…12 Hence, consenting participants were screened for smell impairment with a validated culturally adapted Malaysian version of the Sniffin’ Sticks smell identification test with 16 types of odours. 12,13 The tip of each pen with its own odour was placed approximately 2 cm in front of the nostrils for approximately 3 seconds. The participants thereby identified the odorant from a list of four items (including one correct answer and three distractors).…”

“…Cultural background tends to affect olfactory performance. 12 Hence, consenting participants were screened for smell impairment with a validated culturally adapted Malaysian version of the Sniffin' Sticks smell identification test with 16 types of odours. 12,13 The tip of each pen with its own odour was placed approximately 2 cm in front of the nostrils for approximately 3 seconds.…”

Odor familiarity and improvement of olfactory identification test in Chinese population

“…Olfaction is an important sense that can regulate emotions, affects cognition and behavior (Liu et al, 2020 ; Zambom-Ferraresi et al, 2021 ), and also reminds us of dangers in the environment (Husain et al, 2021 ). It can be impaired by chronic rhinosinusitis, head trauma, infections, aging, long-term smoking, alcoholism, metabolic diseases, and autoimmune diseases (Topan et al, 2021 ).…”