#208 Vaginal Self Swabs – Simple and Sensitive for STIs
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- SCVS versus endocervical swab:
- 3,973 women (with and without symptoms) in sexual health centre had SCVS followed by physician endocervical swab:1
- SCVS statistically significantly increased sensitivity: 97% versus 88%.
- Endocervical swab missed 1 in 11 cases of chlamydia.
- SCVS statistically significantly increased sensitivity: 97% versus 88%.
- SCVS and endocervical swabs had similar sensitivities (99% and 96%) for gonorrhea.2
- 3,973 women (with and without symptoms) in sexual health centre had SCVS followed by physician endocervical swab:1
- SCVS versus FCU and/or endocervical swab:
- 1,464 symptomatic and asymptomatic women at primary/secondary care clinics, all collected SCVS, physician vaginal, or endocervical swabs and FCU.3
- Physician and SCVS: Similar sensitivity (>95%) for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
- SCVS versus FCU: SCVS identified statistically significantly more patients with chlamydia (196 versus 171).
- 318 women (172 with chlamydia):4
- FCU had statistically significant lower sensitivity (88%) compared to endocervical and SCVS (~97%).
- 1,654 men and women (164 with chlamydia):5
- Endocervical swab statistically significantly more sensitive (99%) than FCU (85%).
- SCVS (95%) not different than either.
- In men, no significant difference between urethral swab or FCU.
- Endocervical swab statistically significantly more sensitive (99%) than FCU (85%).
- 1,464 symptomatic and asymptomatic women at primary/secondary care clinics, all collected SCVS, physician vaginal, or endocervical swabs and FCU.3
- Systematic review (21 studies) reported no difference in sensitivity of FCU (87%) versus SCVS (92%).6
- Limitations: Compared to endocervical specimens, which are not 100% sensitive.6
- No gold standard for chlamydia and gonorrhoea detection, limiting evaluation of new diagnostic tests.7
- Combination swab specificities in above studies were consistently 99-100%.1-3
- Patients find SCVS “easy” to perform (88%) and prefer home completion.8
- Patients randomized to home testing (swabs mailed to their home) are twice as likely to complete the test (~60% versus 30%).9,10
- Nucleic acid amplification test swab is recommended. Specimens can be stored at room temperature and must be processed <60 days of collection.
- Guidelines recommend:11
- SCVS when a pelvic exam is not otherwise indicated.
- FCU for men.