[Analytic and diagnostic validity of the determination of carboxyhemoglobin in blood and carbon monoxide in the breath of smokers and non-smokers].

The analytic and diagnostic validity of the determination of carboxyhaemoglobin and carbon monoxide in smokers and non-smokers was investigated. Both methods are of high analytic and diagnostic validity. Precision and accuracy fullfil the essential requirements. Comparison of the methods shows good correlation (= 0.97) and linear regression (y = 51.5 X 10(-3)x + 6.26 X 10(-6] within the investigated range. Values for the conditional probabilities of sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and efficiency are higher 0.80. Taking into account the standardized sample collection for the CO determination, the two methods are of comparable validity when used in clinical and epidemiological investigations on smokers and non-smokers.