Essential Oil Olfactory Test: Comparison of Affordable Rapid Olfaction Measurement Array (AROMA) to Sniffin' Sticks 12.

OBJECTIVES

To further demonstrate the validity of Affordable Rapid Olfaction Measurement Array (AROMA), an essential oil-based smell test, and compare it to the Sniffin' Sticks 12 Test (SST12).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Academic medical center.

METHODS

Fifty healthy individuals without sinonasal disease were recruited to the study. AROMA has been previously validated against the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. The current study tests 2 additional higher concentrations to increase the ability to detect olfactory reserve. Healthy participants completed AROMA, SST12, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders (QoD). Spearman correlations were used to evaluate AROMA, SST, SNOT-22, and QoD.

RESULTS

AROMA demonstrated strong test-retest reliability ( = 0.757, < .01). AROMA showed a moderate correlation to SST12 (ρ = 0.412, < .01). Age and SNOT-22 were significantly correlated ( < .05) with AROMA (ρ = -0.547, -0.331, respectively), and age was weakly correlated with SST (ρ = -0.377, < .01). Median percent correct scores were as follows: SST12 identification, 92%; AROMA detection, 90%; and AROMA identification, 81%. Median correct odor identification of AROMA concentrations at 1×, 2×, 4×, and 8× were 64%, 75%, 92%, and 92%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

AROMA has a moderate correlation with SST12. AROMA is more strongly correlated than SST12 to age and SNOT-22. AROMA's stronger correlation with subjective olfactory status, low cost, and adaptability may help remove barriers to routine olfactory testing in the clinic.