Statistical overview of the Sniffin' sticks olfactory test from the perspectives of anosmia and hyposmia.

ABSTRACT: The Sniffin' Sticks test is evaluated by summing the scores of threshold, discrimination, and identification subtests to establish an olfactory diagnosis (anosmia, hyposmia, normosmia). However, variations in thresholds, ranges and inconsistencies have been observed. Statistical analyses (distributions, quantiles), protocol simulation, and implementations of the Sniffin' Sticks test were conducted. This study contributes a statistical revision: determining a cut-off point for the total TDI score, optimising the number of alternatives in the identification subtest, and equalising correct responses (frequency, balanced in time, subsequent pairs). The upper score threshold used to diagnose anosmia is lower than the typical first-order error thresholds applied in comparable assessments (anosmi

SUBMITTER: Sipos L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11910658 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature