Assessment of Olfactory Dysfunction Using ODOFIN Sniffin' Sticks: A Prospective Comparative Study

Olfactory loss can impair the ability to detect harmful warning smells like smoke or gas leaks, significantly affect the quality of life and increase the morbidity. This study was done using Sniffin stick test kit with an objective to compare the effect of Steroid Nasal Spray with Normal Saline Nasal Spray in improving the olfactory dysfunction seen in cases of chronic nasal obstruction. This Prospective comparative study was conducted on patients presenting to the ENT OPD with olfactory dysfunction due to various nasal pathologies. The olfaction was assessed qualitatively using ODOFIN Sniffin' sticks before and 2 weeks after the use of either a steroid [Group A] or Saline Nasal Spray [Group B] and the results documented and analysed. Total 162 eligible patients were selected. Majority of the study participants were males and the major symptom was Hyposmia. In group A, the initial Sniffin stick test showed Anosmia in 26 and Hyposmia in 55 patients and after 2 weeks, only 2 and 26 patients had Anosmia and Hyposmia respectively. Wherein group B, there was no significant improvement in the olfaction even after 2 weeks of treatment. The improvement in the olfaction was significant between the groups. (p = < 0.001). Our study using ODOFIN Sniffin' sticks for assessing olfactory dysfunction in various nasal pathologies showed that Steroid Nasal Spray is an effective and safe treatment option in managing olfactory dysfunction.