Abstract
Objective: As a biomarker of smoking, semiquantitative analysis of cotinine (NicAlert®) offers several advantages over breath carbon monoxide (CO) and quantitative analysis of cotinine. Recent studies have used urine NicAlert® and breath CO in combination to verify abstinence. However, no studies have evaluated the performance of saliva NicAlert® against or in combination with breath CO. Method: Breath CO, saliva NicAlert®, and smoking history were compared in an urban population of daily smokers (n=24) and nonsmokers (n=25). Results: Saliva NicAlert® predicted self-reported smoking with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity. At a cutoff of > 5 ppm, breath CO had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in predicting self-reported smoking. Breath CO was positively correlated with saliva NicAlert® and negatively correlated with minutes since last cigarette. Conclusion: Saliva NicAlert® had high sensitivity and specificity in identifying daily smokers. Compared to saliva NicAlert®, breath CO level was more indicative of recent smoking. Future treatment studies should evaluate the performance of saliva NicAlert® as an alternative to the urine test.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 80-83 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Human Psychopharmacology |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biomarker
- Carbon monoxide
- Cigarette smoking
- Cotinine
- Nicotine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Neurology
- Pharmacology (medical)