RESUMO
Tobacco exposure can be assessed by the measurement of several markers in biological fluids. These markers are more or less specific for tobacco and the different methods to measure them out differ in terms of sensibility, specificity, ease of use and cost. The clinician prescribing a dosage for a patient has to take all these parameters into account to make an accurate choice. In this article, we have analysed the usefulness of the main biological tobacco markers in the follow-up of smokers and compared their methods of dosage. We propose several indications and point out the interest of relevant markers to realize objective measurements of smoking habits.
Assuntos
Fumar/metabolismo , Ar , Alcaloides/análise , Artefatos , Biomarcadores , Monóxido de Carbono/análise , Monóxido de Carbono/sangue , Carboxihemoglobina/análise , Cromatografia/métodos , Colorimetria , Cotinina/sangue , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Reações Falso-Positivas , Seguimentos , Humanos , Imunoensaio , Nicotina/sangue , Nicotina/farmacocinética , Saliva/química , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Tiocianatos/análise , Tiocianatos/sangue , Tiocianatos/urinaRESUMO
AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cannabis and tobacco use in a population attending a Methadone Center. METHODS: We studied 49 patients over a 3-month period. Urine samples were obtained at three different times from each patient for analysis. We measured urinary cannabinoids using an immunopolarization assay to identify cannabinoid use. Cotinine concentrations were quantified in urine using a colorimetric assay to assess total urinary nicotine metabolites. RESULTS: The prevalence of cannabis use was high in this population. Urinary cannabinoids were present in 63% of the samples. Similarly 90% had high-urinary cotinine concentrations. CONCLUSION: Measurement of urinary biomarkers showed that tobacco and cannabis use was high among patients attending a Methadone Center.