The Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS) in a sample of smokers who demand smoking cessation treatment

The Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS) was applied to a sample of 241 smokers who demanded treatment to stop smoking. The results indicate good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.80) of the general factor that evaluates nicotine dependence (NDSS-T), and the five original factors obtained by factor analysis are confirmed (drive, continuity, tolerance, priority and stereotypy). The NDSS-T correlates significantly with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria assessed with the SCID, the number of cigarettes smoked and carbon monoxide in expired air. The ROC curves show that the NDSS-T has a score of 0.86 under the curve, which indicates a good prediction of nicotine dependence. All the results obtained in this study indicate the utility of this scale to assess nicotine dependence in smokers.