Updated Sniffin' Sticks normative data based on an extended sample of 9139 subjects

PurposeTo provide up-to-date and detailed normative data based on a large-scale sample, increasing diagnostic validity by reference to narrow age groups as previous normative values were based upon smaller sample sizesespecially in the group of older subjects.MethodData were obtained from 9139 healthy subjects (4928 females aged 5-96years and 4211 males aged 5-91years). The standard Sniffin' Sticks test was applied, comprising threshold (T), discrimination (D) and identification (I) subtests, and yielding a TDI sum score.ResultsHyposmia was established at a TDI score of less than 30.75. Age-related changes were found in each domain, most pronounced for thresholds. Individuals aged 20-30years performed best, whereas children below the age of 10 and adults above the age of 71 scored only half as well. Sex-related differences were in favor of women.ConclusionsData provide guidance for assessing individual olfactory performance in relation to specific age groups. Significant gender and age effects were observed, with a most pronounced increase of olfactory test scores between age 5 through 20years and a dramatic decrease at the age of 60 through 71years.