From the Research
The Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) has a score range of 0 to 12 points, with scores below 9 typically indicating some level of olfactory dysfunction, as supported by the most recent study 1. The BSIT is a 12-item test that evaluates a person's ability to identify common odors, with each correctly identified odor receiving one point, and a maximum possible score of 12 points indicating normal olfactory function.
- The test is designed to be administered in approximately 5 minutes, making it practical for routine clinical assessments while still providing valuable diagnostic information about a patient's olfactory function.
- Lower scores suggest varying degrees of smell impairment, and the BSIT is commonly used in clinical settings as a quick screening tool for smell disorders, which can be early indicators of various neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
- A study published in 2024 1 demonstrated the clinical applicability of the Computerized Brief Smell Identification Test (cB-SIT) and its similarity to the traditional BSIT, further supporting the use of the BSIT in diagnosing patients with olfactory dysfunction.
- Another study from 2016 2 found that increasing the cut-point to ≤9 resulted in an increased sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 76%, and an improved overall accuracy of 83%, highlighting the importance of using the correct cut-point when interpreting BSIT scores.