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[Validity of smoking histories]
O Hagemeyer1, D Koppisch, H Otten
1Zentrale Betreuungsstelle Wismut.
Versicherungsmedizin
|December 26, 2003
Summary
Investigating smoking histories in 185 lung cancer cases revealed that self-reported data during medical surveillance was accurate. Physician records, however, frequently lacked complete smoking status information for former smokers.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Accurate smoking histories are crucial for diagnosing occupational lung cancer.
- Previous studies have highlighted inconsistencies in self-reported versus documented smoking status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity of smoking histories in lung cancer patients compensated as occupational diseases.
- To compare different data sources for determining smoking status.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 185 lung cancer cases.
- Utilized occupational disease statements, primary physician records, post-exposure surveillance data, and former company physician files.
- Compared smoking status derived from multiple sources.
Main Results:
- Self-reported smoking data from post-exposure medical surveillance showed high agreement (6.5% deviation).
- Physician information (primary and former company physicians) was incomplete for 34.6% of former smokers.
- Significant discrepancies were found between different data sources.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported smoking data during medical surveillance is a reliable method for assessing smoking status in occupational lung cancer cases.
- Physician records require improvement in documenting smoking history.
- Enhanced physician training on nicotine dependence assessment is recommended.