Relationship between the korean version of the sniffin' stick test and the TandT olfactometer in the Korean population

Abstract

Objectives. The Korean version of the Sniffin' stick (KVSS) test is widely used in Korea to evaluate olfactory function. However, its validity and reliability have not been studied well. In this study, the authors administered the KVSS and the T&T olfactometer test to evaluate olfactory function and to establish relationships between these two test measures. Methods. Two hundred and eleven patients participated in this prospective randomized study. One hundred and nine patients with no olfactory symptoms and 102 patients with decreased olfaction participated. All participants were underwent KVSS II and T&T olfactometer testing. Results. The mean recognition threshold of the T&T olfactometer was -1.8±0.9 for patients with normal olfaction and 4.0±2.6 for patients with decreased olfaction. The mean Threshold-Discrimination-Identification score of the KVSS II was 30.0±3.8 for patients with normal olfaction and 15.9±7.1 for patients with decreased olfaction. Correlation coefficient between the two tests was significantly high (rs =-0.725, P<0.01). Conclusion. The KVSS and T&T olfactometry test are both reliable tests of olfactory function and their results are well correlated with each other. © 2011 by Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.