Tobacco dependence curricula in US osteopathic medical schools: a follow-up study.

Context: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of illness and death in the United States. A 1998 survey of US osteopathic medical schools identified deficiencies in tobacco dependence curricula.

Objective: To assess the current content and extent of tobacco dependence education and intervention skills in US osteopathic medical school curricula.

Validation of self-reported smoking status using saliva cotinine: a rapid semiquantitative dipstick method.

Purpose: This study evaluated the performance characteristics of a novel rapid method for verifying smoking status in individuals by measurement of cotinine, the primary metabolite of nicotine, in saliva samples using an immunochromatographic strip in a "dipstick" format compared with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

Materials And Methods: A prospective comparison was made of smoking status as determined by measurement of cotinine in urine by LC/MS (the gold standard) and in saliva using a semiquantitative dipstick assay that uses cotinine-specific monoclonal antibodies attached to gold particles and a series of avidity traps to measure cotinine levels (saliva NicAlert). One hundred seventy-two individuals from a family practice/general medical setting agreed to participate after informed consent and institutional review board approval.

Tobacco dependence curricula in undergraduate osteopathic medical education.

Context: Tobacco use has been identified as the primary preventable cause of premature deaths and disability, yet results of a previous survey show that undergraduate allopathic medical schools do not adequately address this topic.

Objective: To assess the content and extent of tobacco education and intervention skills in osteopathic medical schools' curricula.

Design: A mailed survey with 19 questions similar to one used for allopathic medical schools.

Use of contemporary biomarkers in the detection of chronic alcohol use.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance yet alcoholism is frequently undiagnosed. The misuse of alcohol is common and frequently an occult problem. More than 10% of current drinkers meet diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence while the lifetime prevalence for these conditions in outpatient settings ranges from 16 to 36 percent.

An office-based approach to influenza: clinical diagnosis and laboratory testing.

Vaccination is the primary measure for preventing morbidity and mortality from influenza. During the influenza season, family physicians must distinguish influenza from the common cold and other flu-like illnesses. Signs and symptoms of influenza include abrupt onset of fever, severe myalgias, anorexia, sore throat, headache, cough, and malaise.

Recommendations for the treatment of nicotine dependency.

The US Public Health Service (PHS) Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, published in June 2000, is a clinician-targeted resource that encourages physicians to apply evidence-based interventions when treating tobacco-dependent patients. Issued by the PHS Surgeon General, the guideline recommends a new standard of care in treating tobacco dependency, the chief cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. It calls on clinicians to more consistently identify and evaluate tobacco-dependent patients and to provide treatment, motivation to quit, and referrals to smoking cessation specialists.