Utility of observer reports of smoking status.
Subjects in a smoking cessation trial named observers to verify their smoking status at 1 week and 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Several results indicated observer reports of abstinence have little utility in the classification of smoking status: 1. observer data were available on only 50-70% of follow-ups, 2. observer data refuted claims of abstinence in less than 5% of cases, 3. return bias appears to have occurred (i.e., observer forms were more likely to be missing if a subject reported abstinence), and 4. observer and biochemical verification of abstinence were often discordant.
Hughes
J R
JR
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405.
D000328:Adult; D002638:Chewing Gum; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment
D002638:Chewing Gum; D009538:Nicotine