[Polish version of the Sniffin' Sticks Test - adaptation and normalization]

Abstract

Introduction: Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST) is a complex smell test, enabling the diagnosis of various aspects of olfactory sensitivity. It is one of the most popular tools for olfactory testing all over the world; however, so far it has not been commonly used in Poland.

Aim: The presented study had the following aims: assessment of the applicability of the SST in Poland, adaptation of the identification subtest, normalization of the whole battery and comparison of the Polish results to the norms in the original tool.

Materials and methods: We tested olfactory sensitivity of 281 healthy volunteers aged 18-87 years. We used the full version of the SST (threshold, discrimination and identification subtests).

Results: The results of the presented study are the modified version of the identification test response questionnaire and clearly defined normative values for the Polish people of different ages. Normative values and results in Poland were not significantly different from the previously reported findings for the original, German tool. Additionally, consistent with previous reports, olfactory sensitivity of the eldest group of the Polish people was lower than performance in younger age groups.

Conclusions: The presented findings suggest that the adapted version of the Sniffin' Sticks Test might be used for both medical and research purposes in Poland.

Keywords: Cultural adaptation; Discrimination test; Identification test; Olfactory examination; Olfactory sensitivity; Smell; Sniffin’ Sticks Test; Threshold test; adaptacja kulturowa; badanie węchu; test Sniffin’ Sticks; test identyfikacji; test rozróżniania; test wykrywania; wrażliwość węchowa; węch.