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Poster presentation:
Use of NicAlertTM cotinine test strips for verification of smoking cessation
Fiona Cooke and Hayden McRobbie
Abstract
Abstinence from smoking is usually measured by self-report and confirmed with biochemical verification - often using cotinine, a nicotine metabolite found in urine and saliva. In large trials where participants reside across large areas it is expensive to collect and test samples. An alternative is to use self-administered test strips such as NicAlert strips, a semi-quantitative immunoassay method for identifying cotinine in urine. Because urine testing can be challenging for participants, we examined the diagnostic accuracy of NicAlert strips in saliva, using independent prospective blind comparison, with gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphorus detection as the reference standard. 100 participants were recruited through three workplaces and a Fitness Centre. Demographic information and data on smoking status, second-hand smoke exposure, use of other tobacco products and use of nicotine replacement therapy were collected. Two saliva samples from each participant were collected and were tested independently to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the test strips compared to the reference standard. A further feasibility study asked participants to complete the test strips themselves and mail back them back to the study centre. Study staff also completed test strips with saliva samples provided in person by the same participants, and the findings were compared to determine how reliably a range of people can follow the instructions and the accuracy of the mailed tested strips. Results of both studies will be presented and conclusions made about the use of NicAlert strips with saliva in cessation trials and practice.
Biography
Dr Hayden McRobbie is a Research Fellow at the Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand where he specialises in smoking cessation research and treatment. He studied medicine at the University of Otago and after several years in clinical medicine he moved to London to work with Professor Peter Hajek at the Tobacco Dependence Research and Treatment Centre, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Whilst with the centre he worked on a large number of projects and clinical trails looking at ways to help people stop smoking, including both pharmacological and behavioural methods. In New Zealand Hayden continues this same line of and retains close links with the UK where he is a Visiting Lecturer at Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Author 1: Fiona Cooke
Research Fellow
Clinical Trials Research Unit
The University of Auckland
Auckland
Private Bag 92019
New Zealand
Author 2: Chris Bullen
Author 3: Robyn Whittaker
Author 4: Xenia Chen
Author 5: Hayden McRobbie
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