Fast screening of olfactory function using the Q-Sticks test
- \(\bf Objectives: Classical, longer olfactory tests are associated with difficulties in everyday practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of the Q-Sticks test within the context of a multicenter study. \(\bf Methods: A total of 333 subjects, aged between 12 and 88 years, completed a 3-item Q-Sticks test and a longer Sniffin’ Sticks identification test. We analyzed the sensitivity and specificity of the test results for different cutoffs for anosmia and hyposmia. \(\bf Results: Our study showed that the test can be used on subjects aged 12 years and older, regardless of their sex. The data indicated a test sensitivity and specificity of 91.8 and 92%, respectively, with a score of 2 taken as a cutoff for olfactory dysfunction. Conversely, normal olfactory function can be declared with high probability with a score of 3 in the Q-Sticks test. \(\bf Conclusion: We reconfirmed that the Q-Sticks test is a good screening tool for everyday medical practice and in laboratory settings, although it has to be kept in mind that the test can produce false-negative results at a score of 3. The test was relatively sensitive to anosmia and differences between normosmic and hyposmic/anosmic patients.
Author: | Agnieszka SorokowskaORCiDGND, Anna OleszkiewiczGND, Amir Ali MinoviGND, Claus Günther KonnerthGND, Thomas HummelORCiDGND |
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URN: | urn:nbn:de:hbz:294-93255 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1159/000500559 |
Parent Title (English): | ORL |
Publisher: | Karger |
Place of publication: | Basel |
Document Type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Date of Publication (online): | 2022/10/11 |
Date of first Publication: | 2019/06/28 |
Publishing Institution: | Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsbibliothek |
Tag: | Anosmia; Normosmia; Olfaction; Olfactory disorders; Q-Sticks test; Testing |
Volume: | 81 |
Issue: | 5-6 |
First Page: | 245251 |
Note: | Dieser Beitrag ist aufgrund einer nationalen Lizenz frei zugänglich. |
Institutes/Facilities: | Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde |
Dewey Decimal Classification: | Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Medizin, Gesundheit |
open_access (DINI-Set): | open_access |
Licence (German): | Nationale Lizenz |