M. S.

Thirty-seven outpatients (M=34, F=3) undergoing rehabilitative exercise in two community-based programs were evaluated for smoking behavior using three separate measures. The specific objective of the study, i.e., to compare concurrent measures of smoking exposure via end-tidal carbon monoxide (F_{ET_CO} ), saliva thiocyanate (SCN) and questionnaire responses, were initially concealed from the subjects to avoid experimental bias that might alter smoking behavior or questionnaire responses. Questions on smoking status and topography were intermingled with a variety of other coronary risk items to further mask the objectives. Triangulation of data for the F_{ET_CO} and SCN responses and the smoking admission/denial item on the questionnaire, led to acceptance of biochemical thresholds for smoking detection (F_{ET_CO} =9ppm, SCN=55 umol•1^-1 ). Twelve subjects (32%) evidenced F_{ET_CO} levels high enough to be designated as smokers (9-37 ppm) and each was an admitted smoker. Of the 12 admitted smokers, 11 demonstrated SCN levels between 58-278 umol•1^-1. Among the 25 who denied smoking, only 3 patients revealed SCN levels higher than 55 umol/1^-1. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that responses to a few smoking topographic items among the admitted smokers explained much of the variance in biochemical exposure (71-87%). These results show the efficacy of smoking status and topography questionnaire items for identification of current smokers and determination of those who have an increased coronary risk factor. / M.S.