Development of a short olfactory test based on the Connecticut Test (CCCRC).

OBJECTIVE

To create a short olfactory test, Connecticut Smell Test (CST), based on the CCCRC (Connecticut Chemosensor and Clinical Research Center).

DESIGN

A prospective patient-based study.

SETTINGS: Smell and Taste Outpatient Clinic at the Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We compared a short test based on the CCCRC with the Pocket Smell Test (PST) based on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test) UPSIT in 40 patients with nasal polyposis, in order to determine the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive and negative predictive values. The validity index was 95% with an accuracy rate of 10%. We determined unit cost, the time required to perform the test in the outpatient office and the difficulty to perform the test.

RESULTS

The sensibility was 93.3% and the specificity was 76% with a positive predictive value of 70% and a negative predictive value of 95%. The unitary cost of CST was euro0.65 when it is performed by a doctor. The unitary cost of PST is euro1.76. Our short test took 34 seconds to perform. More than 96% of the patients thought the test was easy to do.

CONCLUSION

Our test is a valid, easy and quick test to be used in patients with nasal polyposis.