Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence

Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence is a standard instrument for assessing the intensity of physical addiction to nicotine. The test was designed by Karl-Olov Fagerström in 1978 and has been revised multiple times, most recently in 1991.

Overview

The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence is a six-item questionnaire that was developed to improve the reliability and validity of the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire. The test is used to measure levels of nicotine dependence and to guide treatment decisions for tobacco cessation.

Test Components

The test consists of six questions, which are scored to give a total score between 0 and 10. The higher the score, the more intense is the patient's physical dependence on nicotine. The questions assess the quantity of cigarette consumption, the compulsion to use, and dependence.

Scoring

The scoring is as follows:

• Scores of 7-10 indicate high nicotine dependence.
• Scores of 4-6 indicate moderate nicotine dependence.
• Scores of 1-3 indicate low nicotine dependence.
• A score of 0 indicates no dependence.

Clinical Use

The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence has been widely used in research and clinical settings to assess nicotine dependence. It is also used to guide treatment decisions, such as the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

See Also

• Nicotine dependence
• Tobacco cessation
• Nicotine replacement therapy