A pilot study of a traditional Chinese version of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test for application in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
The 40-item University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) is the most widely used smell test in the world. Presently, culturally modified versions of this test are available in 12 languages. This study describes the first assessment of a prototype traditional Chinese version of the UPSIT (UPSIT-TC) for administration in Taiwan. The goals were to determine the efficacy of specific items for testing Taiwanese subjects and to establish normative adjustments to allow for the use of North American norms.


METHODS
The American version of the UPSIT and the UPSIT-TC were administered to 40 healthy Taiwanese subjects on two test occasions separated from one another by 2 weeks. One subject was excluded because of invalid data.


RESULTS
The mean UPSIT score was 28.3 (median, 28; SD, 3.8) for the first test administration and 28.5 (median, 28.0; SD, 4.4) for the second test administration. The mean UPSIT-TC score was 33.1 (median, 33.0; SD, 2.9) for the first administration and 32.8 (median, 33.0; SD, 3.6) for the second test administration. The UPSIT-TC scores were significantly higher than those of the UPSIT on both test occasions (p < 0.0001). Pearson correlations computed across the two test occasions were positive and statistically significant for both the UPSIT and the UPSIT-TC (respectively, r = 0.803 and 0.664; p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
In accord with the modifications, the scores on the prototype UPSIT-TC were significantly higher than those on the American UPSIT when administered to a Taiwanese sample. Both versions of the UPSIT were stable across repeated test sessions.
Jiang
Rong-San
RS
Department of Otolaryngology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. rsjiang@vghtc.gov.tw
Su
Mao-Chang
MC
Liang
Kai-Li
KL
Shiao
Jiun-Yih
JY
Wu
Shang-Heng
SH
Hsin
Chung-Han
CH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China; D057069:Diagnostic Test Approval; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012903:Smell; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities