Correspondence

False Positive Quitter's Nail

N Engl J Med 1994; 331:619September 1, 1994

Article

To the Editor:

Quitter's nail (April 7 issue)1 can be a false positive sign of smoking cessation. The same week you illustrated this physical sign, I was pleased to observe it in a patient with asthma who smoked heavily. My joy turned to sorrow, however, when she reported having switched to a “low tar” filter cigarette at the indicated time and was smoking more than ever to sustain her nicotine level!

J.A. Frederick, M.D.
12 Chase Pk., Logansport, IN 46947

1 References