High-risk and low-risk human papillomavirus detection in self-collected samples compared to clinician-collected samples in a Polish population.
Persistent infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) cause approximately 95% of cervical cancers. The introduction of cytology screening has, however, significantly reduced morbidity and mortality rates. More recently, HPV DNA testing has been shown to be more sensitive than traditional cytology-based testing in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). Self-sampling for HPV testing offers a viable alternative to clinician-performed sampling and could potentially increase participation rates in organized screening programs. Here, we compared the accuracy of self-collected vaginal samples with clinical-collected cervical samples for HPV-based screening and evaluated the acceptability of HPV self-sampling among Polish women.
Women with unclear or abnormal results at their last cytology screening were invited to participate. Each participant submitted two swabs for HPV testing: one clinical-collected cervical swab and one self-collected vaginal swab (Evalyn® Brush). Both sample types were subsequently tested with the EUROArray HPV assay. Participants also completed a questionnaire to assess their experiences with the self-sampling procedure and express their opinions on it.
In total, 180 women aged 30 to 70 years were recruited. The prevalence of high-risk (hr) HPV was 56.7% in clinician-collected samples and 55.0% in self-collected samples. Overall concordance for any HPV, hr-HPV and low-risk (lr) HPV detection between self-collected and clinician-collected samples was 88.9%, 86.1%, and 85.0%, respectively. Most participants found self-sampling comfortable (82.4%), useful (87.0%), and convenient (85.8%) and felt low/very low stress (58.0%) while sampling. In total, 81.3% of the women reported that it was practically painless and 77.2% felt less embarrassed. Of the respondents, 51.1% preferred clinician-collected sampling, 40.9% preferred self-sampling, while 4.6% had no preference.
Vaginal self-sampling using the Evalyn® Brush showed substantial agreement with cervical clinician-sampling for HPV detection using the EUROArray HPV test. Self-sampling for HPV testing was well-accepted by the participants. It represents a feasible alternative for clinical sampling in Poland, which could be effectively integrated into the national HPV screening program.
Women with unclear or abnormal results at their last cytology screening were invited to participate. Each participant submitted two swabs for HPV testing: one clinical-collected cervical swab and one self-collected vaginal swab (Evalyn® Brush). Both sample types were subsequently tested with the EUROArray HPV assay. Participants also completed a questionnaire to assess their experiences with the self-sampling procedure and express their opinions on it.
In total, 180 women aged 30 to 70 years were recruited. The prevalence of high-risk (hr) HPV was 56.7% in clinician-collected samples and 55.0% in self-collected samples. Overall concordance for any HPV, hr-HPV and low-risk (lr) HPV detection between self-collected and clinician-collected samples was 88.9%, 86.1%, and 85.0%, respectively. Most participants found self-sampling comfortable (82.4%), useful (87.0%), and convenient (85.8%) and felt low/very low stress (58.0%) while sampling. In total, 81.3% of the women reported that it was practically painless and 77.2% felt less embarrassed. Of the respondents, 51.1% preferred clinician-collected sampling, 40.9% preferred self-sampling, while 4.6% had no preference.
Vaginal self-sampling using the Evalyn® Brush showed substantial agreement with cervical clinician-sampling for HPV detection using the EUROArray HPV test. Self-sampling for HPV testing was well-accepted by the participants. It represents a feasible alternative for clinical sampling in Poland, which could be effectively integrated into the national HPV screening program.