Adequacy of cervical cytology sampling with the Cervex brush and the Aylesbury spatula: a population based randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the adequacy of cervical cytology sampling with two sampling instruments commonly used in primary care-namely, the Aylesbury spatula and the Cervex brush.


METHODS
Pair matched, population based randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
86 general practices and family planning clinics in Greater Manchester.


METHODS
15 882 cervical smears taken from women aged 20-64 years as part of the national cervical screening programme.


METHODS
Participating centres were allocated to sample with either the Cervex brush or the Aylesbury spatula.


METHODS
Inadequate smear rate.


RESULTS
5.4% and 5.5% (433/8086 and 426/7796) of smears taken with the Cervex brush and the Aylesbury spatula respectively were reported as inadequate (odds ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.74 to 1.22).


CONCLUSIONS
The Cervex brush offers no advantage over the Aylesbury spatula in reducing inadequate smear rates in the primary care setting.
Dey
P
P
Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, University of Manchester.
Collins
S
S
Desai
M
M
Woodman
C
C
D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*