Suitability of the odor stick identification test for the Japanese in patients suffering from olfactory disturbance

Authors:
  • KNKohei Nishida
    Kohei Nishida
  • SNSatoshi Nakamura
    Satoshi Nakamura
  • MOMaaya Oishi
    Maaya Oishi
  • TSTakaya Shiozaki
    Takaya Shiozaki
  • YMYuichi Majima
    Yuichi Majima
  • TMTaro Maeda
    Taro Maeda
  • SFShigeru Furuta
    Shigeru Furuta
  • YTYasuhiro Takashima
    Yasuhiro Takashima
  • SSSachiko Saito
    Sachiko Saito
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Abstract
We studied the suitability of the Odor Stick Identification Test for the Japanese (OSIT-J) in patients suffering from olfactory disturbance. In 120 patients with olfactory disturbance (age range 12-85 years) there were statistically significant correlations between the odor identification rate on the OSIT-J, the results of the Japanese standardized olfactory test (T&T olfactometry) and subjective symptom scores. In every patient treated for olfactory disturbance, the OSIT-J reflected the grade of recovery from the olfactory disturbance as determined by means of T&T olfactometry. The odor identification rate on the OSIT-J also correlated significantly with the results of the i.v. Alinamin test. Regarding the rate of correct recognition of odors on the OSIT-J, menthol and curry odors were recognized with a high rate and orange and wood odors with a low rate. Although the OSIT-J includes 13 kinds of odorants, the number of odorants used can be reduced to a minimum of 5 as the results obtained with this reduced form of the OSIT-J also correlated with the results of T&T olfactometry and the subjective symptom scores as well as with the results obtained with the 13-odorant OSIT-J. We conclude that the OSIT-J is suitable not only as a screening test for olfactory disturbance but also for practical use in clinical otorhinolaryngology.
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