Opiate detection in saliva and urine - A prospective comparison by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

There is an increasing interest in saliva as an alternative analytic body f luid. Objective: This study sought to determine the correlation of opiates analyzed in saliva and corresponding urine. Methods: A total of 130 adequat e and 24 inadequate samples were collected from patients participating in d rug withdrawal therapy. To obtain saliva from the oral cavity, a newly deve loped collection device (Clin Rep(R)), consisting of a treated cotton roll and a centrifugation vial with a filter inset, was tested. For the preparat ion of a purified solution of urine, liquid extraction was used. Solid phas e extraction was utilized to prepare the saliva samples. For the detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, an appropriate derivatization was necessary using N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, The retentio n times were compared with defined standard solutions. The obtained mass sp ectra showed a characteristic fragmenting pattern and offered a reliable id entification. Results: The concordance of the analytic results of the saliv a samples with urine was 93% for a decision limit of 100 ng/mL and 98% for a decision limit of 300 ng/mL (DHHS opiate cutoff) in urine, Conclusions: S aliva, of adequate amount in 85% of samples, may be appropriate for analysi s of drugs of abuse.