Biomaterial Database

Validation of self-reported smoking status using saliva cotinine: a rapid semiquantitative dipstick method. 2007

Norman J Montalto, and Wayne O Wells

Acordia National/Wells Fargo, 602 Virginia St. E., Charleston, West Virginia, 25327-1921, USA. norman.montalto@gwl.com

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the performance characteristics of a novel rapid method for verifying smoking status in individuals by measurement of cotinine, the primary metabolite of nicotine, in saliva samples using an immunochromatographic strip in a "dipstick" format compared with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). METHODS A prospective comparison was made of smoking status as determined by measurement of cotinine in urine by LC/MS (the gold standard) and in saliva using a semiquantitative dipstick assay that uses cotinine-specific monoclonal antibodies attached to gold particles and a series of avidity traps to measure cotinine levels (saliva NicAlert). One hundred seventy-two individuals from a family practice/general medical setting agreed to participate after informed consent and institutional review board approval. Saliva NicAlert tests were done by untrained operators who followed written directions. RESULTS Comparison of smoking status as determined by urine cotinine measurement by LC/MS (50 ng/mL cutoff) with the saliva strip test results, averaged over the two operators, indicated that the saliva test strip results had a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 96%. Saliva NicAlert also identified four smokers who reported being nonsmokers but were confirmed to be smokers by LC/MS. CONCLUSIONS The saliva NicAlert assay seems to be a valid, highly sensitive, and specific method for validating self-reported smoking status and may have clinical applications in selected medical settings.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007118	Immunoassay	A technique using antibodies for identifying or quantifying a substance. Usually the substance being studied serves as antigen both in antibody production and in measurement of antibody by the test substance.	Immunochromatographic Assay,Assay, Immunochromatographic,Assays, Immunochromatographic,Immunoassays,Immunochromatographic Assays
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009538	Nicotine	Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke.	Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002853	Chromatography, Liquid	Chromatographic techniques in which the mobile phase is a liquid.	Liquid Chromatography
D003367	Cotinine	The N-glucuronide conjugate of cotinine is a major urinary metabolite of NICOTINE. It thus serves as a biomarker of exposure to tobacco SMOKING. It has CNS stimulating properties.	Scotine
D003625	Data Collection	Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data.	Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293	Adolescent	A person 13 to 18 years of age.	Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults