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Comparison of subjective olfaction ratings in patients with and without olfactory disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2012

B R Haxel ,
S Bertz-Duffy ,
K Fruth ,
S Letzel ,
W J Mann  and
A Muttray
B R Haxel*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
S Bertz-Duffy
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
K Fruth
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
S Letzel
Affiliation:
Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
W J Mann
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
A Muttray
Affiliation:
Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Boris R Haxel, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, D-55101 Mainz, Germany Fax: +49 6131176637 E-mail: haxel@hno.klinik.uni-mainz.de
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Abstract

Objective:

Olfactory dysfunction is common. The reliability of self-assessment tools for smell testing is still controversial. This study aimed to provide new data about the accuracy of olfactory self-assessment compared with a standardised smell test.

Design:

Prospective, controlled, cohort study of patients with olfactory disorders and healthy controls.

Subjects:

Ninety-six patients with a smell deficit and 71 controls were asked to rate their sense of smell on a visual analogue scale. Their olfactory abilities were also evaluated with the Sniffin' Sticks tests.

Results:

The whole cohort showed a significant correlation between visual analogue scale smell scores and Sniffin' Sticks total scores. This correlation was also significant in the patient group, but not in the control group. These results were independent of olfactory deficit aetiology and subject age.

Conclusion:

Self-assessment of olfaction is only a reliable indicator in smell-impaired patients, not in healthy controls. For an accurate assessment of olfaction, reliable, standardised tests are needed.

Keywords

OlfactionOlfaction DisordersDiagnosisVisual Analogue Scale
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 7 , July 2012 , pp. 692 - 697
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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