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Updated: May 16, 2026
07:10
Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
[Clinical examination of olfactory and gustatory function]
Ling Yang1, Yongxiang Wei, Wei Zhang
1Central Research Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
Summary
Patients with olfactory dysfunction experience reduced smell and taste, with no significant gender differences. Combined sensory function tests aid early clinical diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Science
Context:
- Olfactory dysfunction affects a significant portion of the population.
- Understanding the interplay between smell and taste is crucial for diagnosis.
Purpose:
- To investigate olfactory and gustatory function changes in patients with olfactory dysfunction.
- To assess the utility of combined sensory function tests.
Summary:
- This study examined 284 subjects (92 healthy, 92 hyposmia, 100 functional anosmia) using T&T olfactometry, olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs), and the triple drop method.
- Results indicated statistically significant reductions in olfactory and gustatory functions in patients compared to controls.
- Patients exhibited prolonged latency and reduced amplitude in OERPs, alongside significant hypogeusia.
Impact:
- Findings suggest a strong link between olfactory dysfunction and concomitant hypogeusia.
- Combined sensory function assessments (OERPs, T&T, triple drop method) offer a systematic approach for early clinical diagnosis and treatment of chemical sensory disorders.
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