Psychometric qualities of the Brazilian versions of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Heaviness of Smoking Index.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the psychometric properties of the Brazilian versions of the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI).


METHODS
The test-retest reliability of the FTND was assessed in a sample of 61 smoking university students, with a 15-day interval between assessments. The interrater reliability was examined in 30 smoking patients of a psychosocial care center for alcohol and drug users (PCC-AD). The reliability coefficient was estimated by the kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients. The predictive validity, internal consistency, and factor structure of the FTND and the HSI were evaluated by factor analysis in 271 smokers treated at an emergency unit and at the PCC-AD. The gold standard was the nicotine dependence criteria of DSM-IV, as assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV.


RESULTS
The FTND showed high reliability, with correlation coefficients of .92 for test-retest reliability and .99 for interrater reliability. Both the FTND and the HSI presented high levels of sensitivity and specificity. The internal consistency evaluation yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .83 for the FTND and of .56 for the HSI. An exploratory factor analysis found 2 factors in the FTND, which were validated by a confirmatory factor analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in this study confirm the validity and reliability of the Brazilian versions of the FTND and the HSI.
de Meneses-Gaya
Carolina
C
Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo Hospital das Clínicas, Terceiro Andar, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo CEP 14049-900, Brazil.
Zuardi
Antonio W
AW
de Azevedo Marques
João Mazzoncini
JM
Souza
Roberto M
RM
Loureiro
Sonia R
SR
Crippa
José Alexandre S
JA
D001938:Brazil; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder