Validation of a Respiratory Symptom Questionnaire in Adolescent Smokers.

OBJECTIVES: Adolescent smokers experience respiratory symptoms as a consequence of smoking, which may be impacted by harm-reduction products. We sought to validate the American Thoracic Society Questionnaire (ATSQ), a measure of respiratory symptoms, in adolescent smokers.

METHODS: Data were drawn from 2 studies of adolescents (ages 14 to 19). Study 1 (N = 118) comprised daily smokers. Study 2 (N = 216) comprised 118 smokers and 98 nonsmokers; a subset of the total sample comprised 70 matched pairs of smokers and non-smokers.

RESULTS: The ATSQ showed high internal consistency. In Study 1, ATSQ scores were positively correlated with dependence. In Study 2, scores were positively correlated with CO, cotinine, and cigarettes per day; and scores were significantly greater for smokers than non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS: The ATSQ offers a psychometrically valid method for measuring respiratory symptoms in adolescent smokers.