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The Fagerström test for nicotine dependence: a comparison of standard scoring and latent class analysis approaches.
- Source :
-
Drug & Alcohol Dependence . Nov2005, Vol. 80 Issue 2, p241-250. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- The classification of being tobacco dependent obtained via the established scoring method of the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) is compared to a method that bases classification on the pattern of item responses. Young adults participating in a longitudinal study, who indicated they had ever smoked, were asked six standardized items (n = 962; mean age 21 years). By standard scoring, the mean FTND score was 1.9 (S.E.= 2.3): 66% of the smokers qualified for a very low level of dependence, 17% low, 9% moderate, and 9% a high level of dependence. Response patterns detected by latent class analysis (LCA) indicated class differences based on severity gradations and of qualitative content. Three profiles of tobacco dependence were found: a non-dependent class (50%), a class manifesting a moderate number of dependence features (31%), and more severely affected class (19%). The vast majority of smokers (three-fourth) were classified congruently by these two methods. Discrepancies involved LCA classifying smokers into a higher level of dependence when compared to the conventional scoring classification. Patterns of dependence features obtained from population samples that include a wide range of smokers may provide insight into possible phenotypic differences among tobacco smokers, particularly when LCA methods are used to complement standard scoring methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03768716
- Volume :
- 80
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Drug & Alcohol Dependence
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 106386313
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.04.021