Investigation of Normative Value of Commercialized Taiwan Smell Identification Test

Ching-Hung Hsieh; Philip G Chen; Bing Zhou; Li-Jung Lin; Jen-Tsung Lai; Ping-Hung Shen

doi:10.1177/2152656721991525

Investigation of Normative Value of Commercialized Taiwan Smell Identification Test

Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2021 Feb 15:12:2152656721991525. doi: 10.1177/2152656721991525. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Ching-Hung Hsieh¹, Philip G Chen², Bing Zhou³, Li-Jung Lin⁴, Jen-Tsung Lai¹, Ping-Hung Shen^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung.
² Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
³ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
⁴ Graduate Institute of Sports, Leisure & Hospitality Management, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei.
⁵ Department of Nursing, Hung-Kuang University, Taichung.

Abstract

Background: The Taiwan Smell Identification Test (TWSIT) was developed and successfully administered in Taiwanese population since 2015. However, for sanitation reason, the original liquid-jar form of this test is not appropriate. The commercialized TWSIT was then re-designed as "scratch-and-sniff" version: the TIBSIT (Top International Biotech, Taipei, Taiwan). This project aims to investigate the normative value of TIBSIT in different age groups and genders.

Methods: Volunteers aged 20 to 80 with no subjective smell loss were recruited in a rhinology clinic. The participants were given full instructions on using the TIBSIT.

Results: Two hundred and nine healthy subjects (female: male =107: 102) were enrolled into this study. The median TIBSIT score in female and male subjects is 47 and 46, respectively. Subjects were further divided into three age groups: (A) 20∼34 years (n = 77), (B) 35∼54 years (n = 77), and (C) 55∼80 years (n = 55). The TIBSIT scores at the tenth percentile value at each age group of male patients are 43, 42 and 37; while the scores at the tenth percentile value at each age group of female patients are 42, 42 and 41. TIBSIT score was significantly and inversely correlated with age (Spearman rho = - 0.20, p = 0.004.).

Conclusion: We established the normative values of the new TIBSIT in different age groups in Taiwan. Future nation-wide screening is needed for more sophisticated norms establishment.

Keywords: odorants; olfaction disorders; smell.