Updated UPSIT Normative Data Improve the Assessment of Smell Loss

Objective assessment of the sense of smell is becoming increasingly important in both clinical practice and scientific research. Loss of smell can significantly affect quality of life and has also been associated with various neurological disorders. A recent scientific publication (University of Iowa, Iowa City) has introduced updated normative data for the widely used University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), improving the interpretation of test results in older adults.

What is the UPSIT?

The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) is one of the most widely used and scientifically validated smell tests in the world. The test consists of 40 different odors presented through an easy-to-use scratch-and-sniff format. For each odor, the participant selects one of four possible answers.

Because UPSIT scores can be compared with extensive normative data, the test provides an objective assessment of olfactory function.

Why Are Normative Values Important?

An UPSIT score on its own only tells part of the story. For example, a score of 30 may be considered abnormal for a younger adult but fall within the normal range for an older individual.

This is why UPSIT results are interpreted using normative tables. These reference values allow clinicians and researchers to determine whether an individual has:

• Normal olfactory function
• Mild smell loss (hyposmia)
• Moderate smell loss
• Severe smell loss
• Complete smell loss (anosmia)

Accurate normative data are essential for reliable interpretation of test results.

New Scientific Normative Data

In 2023, researchers published updated UPSIT percentiles for adults aged 50 years and older. The study analyzed data from thousands of participants, creating a significantly larger reference database than previous normative datasets.

The study confirmed several well-known findings:

• Olfactory function gradually declines with age.
• Women generally perform better on odor identification tests than men.
• Larger reference populations provide more reliable interpretation of test scores.
• UPSIT remains a highly valuable tool for detecting subtle changes in olfactory function.

These updated percentile tables allow clinicians and researchers to interpret UPSIT results with greater precision, particularly in older adults.

Relevance for Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Research

One of the reasons UPSIT is widely used in scientific research is the strong association between smell loss and neurodegenerative diseases.

Reduced olfactory function can occur years before other symptoms become apparent in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. As a result, smell testing is increasingly used in research studies investigating early disease markers and risk assessment.

Would you like to read more about the relationship between loss of smell and various conditions? Then also check out our article: Loss of smell and diseases

Order UPSIT smell test

We supply the original UPSIT smell test from Sensonics. This test is used worldwide by hospitals, universities, researchers, and ENT specialists to objectively assess the sense of smell. The test is packaged in sets of 7 tests, and we usually have them in stock.

View the product page here.