key: cord-0772942-qox12p1d
authors: Lechien, Jerome R.; Saussez, Sven; Maniaci, Antonino; Boscolo-Rizzo, Paolo; Vaira, Luigi A.
title: The detection of smell disorder depends on the clinical tools
date: 2022-04-08
journal: Am J Otolaryngol
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103445
sha: a27f7002feefe1a74f97b9d62129b1fd5bd7cd78
doc_id: 772942
cord_uid: qox12p1d

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Second, the most important problem of RT-PCR testing remains its sensitivity (60-90%), which may significantly vary based on the experience of the practitioner who performs the swab, the swab site (nasopharynx versus oral cavity), and the phase of the infection in which the swab is performed [5] . In the study of Patel et al., this diagnostic method was considered the gold standard to compare the 5-item odor testing and determine its specificity and sensitivity. However, there were no details about how the swabs were performed, especially the site of sampling and the experience of the practitioners who performed the swab.

Third, most authors agreed that the reliability of the tool used influences the detection of OD.

Depending on the method used to evaluate the olfaction, the prevalence of OD may vary J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f Journal Pre-proof [6, 7] . Self-reported subjective evaluations reported poor reliability [6] . The psychophysical olfactory evaluations are currently considered the best cost-effective approach for detecting OD. To date, several psychophysical tools with a different number of tasks and odorants are available for clinicians to use to measure olfactory function. Interestingly, the prevalence of OD may vary according to the number and the type of odorant used. The impact of the psychophysical olfactory test used on the prevalence of OD was highlighted in the first European studies, where the prevalence varied even among close populations [8] [9] [10] . In these studies, the use of the full set threshold/discrimination/identification Sniffin' Sticks test (TDI) or Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center orthonasal olfaction test reported a higher prevalence of OD than the use of identification part of the Sniffin' Sticks test [8] [9] [10] .

Thus, it would be interesting to compare the 5-odor results with a TDI examination in a population sample to have an idea about the usefulness and better assess the reliability of 5odor testing. However, we congratulate the authors for this interesting study and encourage future teams to evaluate the reliability of 5-odor testing with TDI and COVID-19 diagnosis approaches with better sensitivity and specificity values.

SARS-CoV-2 and Variant Diagnostic Testing Approaches in the United States

The study of recovery rates of COVID-19 olfactory and gustatory dysfunctionsrequires psychophysical evaluations

Olfactory and gustatory function impairment in COVID-19 patients: Italian objective multicenter-study

Objective olfactory evaluation of self-reported loss of smell in a case series of 86 COVID-19 patients

Gaining Back What Is Lost: Recovering the Sense of Smell in Mild to Moderate Patients After COVID-19

[1] Patel RA, Torabi SJ, Kasle DA, Mane RP. Five-item odorant test as an indicator of