Two biochemical markers effectively used to separate smokeless tobacco users from smokers and nonusers

South Med J. 1995 Nov;88(11):1107-13. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199511000-00004.

Abstract

Data from asbestos workers were used to devise a cutpoint classifier to identify subjects as Nonuser (non-tobacco user), Smokeless (exclusive smokeless tobacco user), and Smoker (ignited tobacco user). In some clinical trials and smoking cessation programs, Smokeless should be separated from Smoker. One therefore needs a marker for smoke exposure, such as thiocyanate, since nicotine levels, as measured by cotinine, could be similar in both groups. Levels of cotinine (ng/mL) and thiocyanate (mumol/L) levels (mean +/- SD) were, respectively: 320.9 +/- 201.1 and 145.9 +/- 63.7 for the Smoker group; 339.1 +/- 327.5 and 32.0 +/- 16.9 for the Smokeless group; and 0.6 +/- 2.6 and 58.2 +/- 33.2 for the Nonuser group. For Nonuser, Smokeless, and Smoker, respectively, the self-reported status was 45.1%, 10.8%, and 44.1%, which was adjusted to 42.2%, 11.6%, and 46.2%; the classifier yielded sensitivities of 100%, 76.1%, and 92.2%; specificities of 96.1%, 97.6%, and 96.4%; and predictive values of 94.9%, 80.6%, and 95.6%. The classifier successfully identified Nonusers, separated Smokeless from Smoker, and determined the prevalence of false reports in our cohort.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asbestos
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cotinine / blood*
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Plants, Toxic*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Probability
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Smoking / blood*
  • Thiocyanates / blood*
  • Tobacco, Smokeless*

Substances

  • Thiocyanates
  • Asbestos
  • Cotinine
  • thiocyanate