University of pennsylvania smell identification test: A rapid quantitative olfactory function test for the clinic

TLDR

Olfactory dysfunction is frequently encountered in clinical practice, yet clinicians lack reliable quantitative tests to diagnose it. The paper describes the new UPSIT and its applications. The UPSIT is a self‑administered test that uses microencapsulated odorants released by scratching standardized odor‑impregnated booklets. The UPSIT, developed at the Clinical Research Center, can identify most malingerers and is sensitive to age, gender, smoking habits, and a wide range of olfactory disorders.

Abstract

Abstract Despite the fact that clinical otolaryngologists are often presented with complaints of olfactory dysfunction, they have limited means to diagnose these problems. A major reason has been the lack of a clinically‐useful and reliable quantitative test of olfactory function. Recent work at our Clinical Research Center has resulted in the development of such a test. This test — the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) — can be self‐administered and uses microencapsulated odorants which are released by scratching standardized odor‐impregnated test booklets. As indicated in this paper, studies have demonstrated that the UPSIT can identify most malingerers and is sensitive to age, gender, smoking habits, and a wide variety of olfactory disorders. A description of this new test, along with some of its applications, is presented.