title: Effect of incorporating a 10 minute point of care test for salivary nicotine metabolites into a general practice based smoking cessation programme: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of immediate feedback from a point of care test for salivary nicotine metabolites in promoting smoking cessation and reduction in tobacco use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, operator blinded, randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  General dental practice, London.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 adult smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a questionnaire on smoking, undertook a clinical examination, and received counselling in smoking cessation. Saliva samples were analysed at presentation and at eight weeks for salivary nicotine metabolites using a 10 minute semiquantitative point of care test.
  
  
  METHODS
  Smoking cessation measured by salivary nicotine metabolite values (scale 0-6), patient feedback on the perceived value of the test (visual analogue scale) in quitting, and reduction in tobacco use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher smoking quit rate was achieved with the point of care test (23% cases v 7% controls; P < 0.039), and overall tobacco use also decreased (68% cases v 28% controls; P < 0.001). Baseline values for salivary nicotine metabolites did not differ between the groups (cases, mean 4.1, SD 1.3 and 4.3, 1.4; P = 0.51). 87 participants reattended at eight weeks (44 cases, 43 controls). Mean nicotine metabolite values at eight weeks were 2.58 (2.0) for cases and 4.29 (1.8) for controls (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incorporation of individualised personal feedback using a point of care test for salivary nicotine metabolites into a general practice based smoking cessation programme increased quit rates by 17% at eight weeks and reduced tobacco use.
authors.affiliation: General Practice, 6 Harcourt House, London W1G 0PN.
authors.forename: Kristian D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Barnfather
authors.forename: Graham F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Cope
authors.forename: Iain L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Chapple
mesh_terms: D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003729:Dental Care; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000378:metabolism*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine