Psychometric properties of smokeless tobacco dependence measures: A COSMIN systematic review

Vaibhav P Thawal; Flora Tzelepis; Tanmay Bagade; Christine Paul

doi:10.1016/j.josat.2023.208978

Psychometric properties of smokeless tobacco dependence measures: A COSMIN systematic review

J Subst Use Addict Treat. 2023 Apr:147:208978. doi: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.208978. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

Authors

Vaibhav P Thawal¹, Flora Tzelepis², Tanmay Bagade³, Christine Paul⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: vaibhav.thawal@uon.edu.au.
² School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: flora.tzelepis@newcastle.edu.au.
³ School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: tanmay.bagade@newcastle.edu.au.
⁴ School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: chris.paul@newcastle.edu.au.

PMID: 36889219
DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.208978

Abstract

Background: A comprehensive assessment of the quality of the psychometric properties of smokeless tobacco (SLT) dependence measures is necessary to help researchers and health professionals decide on the most appropriate measure to use when assessing dependence and planning cessation treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to identify and critically appraise measures for assessing dependence on SLT products.

Methods: The study team searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases. We included English-language studies describing the development or psychometric properties of an SLT dependence measure. Two reviewers independently extracted data and appraised risk of bias using the rigorous Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines.

Results: Sixteen studies assessing 16 unique measures were eligible for assessment. Eleven studies were conducted in the United States; two in Taiwan and one each in Sweden, Bangladesh, and Guam. Of the sixteen measures, none of the measures was rated as "A" (can be recommended for use) as per COSMIN standards primarily due to limitations in structural validity and internal consistency. Nine measures (FTND-ST, FTQ-ST-9, FTQ-ST-10, OSSTD, BQDS, BQDI, HONC, AUTOS and STDS) were rated as "B": having potential for assessing dependence, although further assessment of psychometric properties is needed. Four measures, MFTND-ST, TDS, GN-STBQ and SSTDS having high quality evidence for an insufficient measurement property were rated as "C" and were not supported for use as per COSMIN standards. The remaining three brief measures HSTI, ST-QFI and STDI (consisting of <3 items) were rated inconclusive due to the inability of assessment of structural validity (minimum 3 items required for factor analysis), which is a prerequisite for assessment of internal consistency per the recommendations by the COSMIN framework.

Conclusion: Further validation is required for the current tools that assess dependence on SLT products. Given the concerns related to the structural validity of these tools, a need may also exist to develop new measures for use by clinicians and researchers for assessing dependence on SLT products.

Prospero: CRD42018105878.

Keywords: COSMIN; Dependence measures; Psychometric properties; Reliability; Smokeless tobacco; Validity.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Psychometrics
Reproducibility of Results
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tobacco Use Disorder* / diagnosis
Tobacco, Smokeless*