UNIVERSITY OF ESWATINI

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

NAME : KUNENE CELIMPHILO

ID : 201900240

PROGRAMME : EHFS

COURSE : SENSORY EVALUATION

CODE : EHS 425

LECTURER : MR. S. MASUKU

Introduction

'Sniffin' Sticks' is a new test of nasal chemosensory performance based on pen-like odor
dispensing devices. It comprises three tests of olfactory function, namely tests for odor threshold,
odor discrimination and odor identification (Hummel, Sekinger, Wolf, Pauli & Kobal, 1997).

The CCCRC comprises two subtests. The olfactory threshold test determines the highest dilution
of N-butanol that is correctly identified four times by the test subject. The subject is required to
choose between two options: odour or odourless. The identification test comprises 10 odours
presented in jars and the subject is required to choose from a list of 20 proposals. Similar to the
study carried out by Hummel, Sekinger, Wolf, Pauli and Kobal (1997), the CCCRC consisted of
two tests of olfactory performance: an odor identification task and the determination of the n-
butanol threshold. Presentation of odorants for threshold testing is performed by means of
squeeze bottles while odor identification is assessed by means of sniff bottles.

The highest concentration of butanol in the series was 4% in water; 11 successive dilutions were
established as a geometric series dilution ratio of 1:3. Testing was performed with the
concentrations in ascending series using a two-alternative, forced choice paradigm by which
patients have to identify the odorant containing bottle after both odorant and blank have been
administered.

The sniffin’ sticks test comprised of 3 subtests; resulting into 4 scores: T threshold score, D
discrimination score, I identification and TDI global olfactory score. The result analysis of each
score was interpreted according to normal values established for each gender and age group. The
test consisted of felt pens, similar to the study carried by Hummel, Sekinger, Wolf, Pauli and
Kobal (1997), Odorants were presented in commercially available (unfilled) felt-tip pens.

The pens had a length of -14 cm, with an inner diameter of 1.3 cm. Instead of liquid dye the
tampon was filled with liquid odorants or odorants dissolved in propylene glycol, to a total
volume of 4 ml. For odor presentation the cap was removed by the experimenter for ~3 s and the
pen's tip was placed ~2 cm in front of both nostrils. Possible bacterial contamination of the
Sticks was checked regularly over a period of 4 months. In no instance was the presence of
pathogenic microorganisms found.
This test This test comprised of 16 triplets of pens (total of 48 pens) with red numbers from 1 to
16. The three pens in each triplet are distinguished by the color of their cap: red, green and blue.
Red pens are impregnated with N-butanol or phenylethylalcohol (BUT/PEA) diluted in a solvent
according to decreasing concentrations. The tips were impregnated with 4ML of odorant fluids
which dissolved in propylene glycerol and anti-bacterial agent. The test was conducted in
controlled conditions with specific procedures.

Data interpretation

The normal value for T threshold and I identification scores for sniffin’ stick was interpreted
using, mean, standard deviations and percentiles for all the women and men in their age groups.

The mean normal value for T was low in Women aged 5-15 years as compared to Men of the
same age group. Also the normal value for I was low in Women aged 5-15 years as compared to
Men. The standard deviations for T in both Men and Women aged 5-15 years had no significant
difference with the standard deviations equal in both Men and Women. The normal value for
percentile threshold increased with an increase in percentage in both Men and Women.

The mean normal value for T in age group 16-35 years had no significant difference in both
Women and Men, with the mean normal value for I also having no significant difference. The
standard normal value in both Women and Men had no significant difference in both women and
men. The percentile threshold for T and I in both Men and Women increased with an increase in
percentage.

The mean normal value for T in age group 36-55 years was low in women as compared to men,
with the mean normal value for I in showing no significant difference in both women and men.
The standard deviations in both women and men had no significant. The percentile normal
values for both T and I in both Women and Men increased with an increase percentage.

The mean normal value for T in age group >55 years was low in Women as compared to Men,
with the mean normal value for I showing no significant difference in both Women and Men.
The standard deviation for both T and I in both Women and Men had no significant differences.
The percentile threshold for T and I in both Men and Women increased with an increase in
percentage.
Our findings extend those of Doty et al. in that a corresponding decrease of olfactory function
was also observed in the same subjects for odor discrimination and odor thresholds. Our finding
indicated a significant effect of the factor age for odor identification, odor discrimination and for
butanol thresholds, for all measurements, performance decreased with increasing age of the
subjects and this decrease was most pronounced in subjects > 55 years. Similar to a study carried
by Hummel et al (1997), whereby A significant effect of the factor 'age' was observed for odor
identification [F (92/l 1) = 4.02, P < 0.001], odor discrimination [F\92J\ 1) = 4.66, P < 0.001] and
for butanol thresholds [F\92/ll) - 8.42, P < 0.001]. For all measurements performance decreased
with increasing age of the subjects and this decrease was most pronounced in subjects older than
65 years.

In a study carried by Shu, Yuan, Lin and Lin (2007), The mean odor identification scores of age
groups 18-35 years, 36-55 years, and >55 years were 14.8, 14.7, and 13.3, respectively. The
score at the 10th percentile was 13.0 in the youngest group of subjects. Age-related decrease of
odor identification scores was clearly established. The decrease of the odor identification score
was most obvious in subjects aged 63-67 years. The coefficient of correlation between test and
retest was 0.76.

According to Yang et al (2013), Sniffin' Sticks test and T & T olfactometry are able to
differentiate normosmia from hyposmia and anosmia with high reliability and consistency in test
results. Sniffin' Sticks test can assess subject's olfactory function status more thoroughly.

According to Haehner et al (2009), in order to establish test-retest reliability and to compare

them with an established measure of olfactory performance, the Connecticut Chemosensory
Clinical Research Center Test. Performance decreased with increasing age of the subjects (P <
0.001). Coefficients of correlation between sessions 1 and 2 were 0.61 for thresholds, 0.54 for
discrimination and 0.73 for identification. Butanol thresholds as obtained with the CCCRC
increased as a function of age; this relation to the subjects' age was not found for the CCCRC
odor identification task. The test-retest reliability for CCCRC thresholds was 0.36, for odor
identification it was 0.60. It is concluded that 'Sniffin' Sticks' may be suited for the routine
clinical assessment of olfactory performance.
In conclusion, the sniffin’ sticks test is largely suitable for clinical usages, the present data
suggest that it makes sense to test olfactory performance using olfactory tests in different
combinations. Our data indicate that the Sticks may prove a useful tool for the clinical testing of
the nasal chemical senses. However, Doty (1995), argued that the senses of smell and taste are
largely underappreciated by laypersons and medical professionals alike. Unlike vision, hearing,
balance, and touch, they are rarely evaluated quantitatively in the clinic, even though hundreds of
thousands of persons seek medical help annually for disorders of these senses.
 References

Doty, R. L., Shaman, P., Applebaum, S. L., Giberson, R., Siksorski, L., & Rosenberg, L. (1984).
Smell identification ability: changes with age. Science, 226(4681), 1441-1443.

Doty, R. L. (1995). The smell identification test: administration manual. Sensonics,

Incorporated.

Hummel, T., Sekinger, B., Wolf, S. R., Pauli, E., & Kobal, G. (1997). ‘Sniffin’sticks': olfactory
performance assessed by the combined testing of odor identification, odor discrimination
and olfactory threshold. Chemical senses, 22(1), 39-52.

Haehner, A., Mayer, A. M., Landis, B. N., Pournaras, I., Lill, K., Gudziol, V., & Hummel, T.
(2009). High test–retest reliability of the extended version of the “Sniffin’Sticks”
test. Chemical senses, 34(8), 705-711.

Shu, C., H., Yuan, B., C., Lin, S., H., & Lin, C., Z. (2007). Cross-cultural application of the
"Sniffin' Sticks" odor identification test. Am J Rhinol. doi: 10.2500/ajr.2007.21.3075.
PMID: 17999792.

Yang, L,.Wei, Y.,Ren,Y.,Di Yu., Sun, Y. & Yang, B. (2013). Clinical Application of Sniffin
Sticks Olfactory psychophysical measurement. Retrieved from
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24330876/