ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA samples on filter paper in comparison to specimen transport medium (STM). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional diagnostic study of 42 consecutive women who were prospectively recruited. Each had self-collected vaginal samples on filter paper, physician-collected cervical samples on filter paper, and physician-collected cervical samples in STM. HPV DNA testing was performed with a Hybrid Capture 2 system (Qiagen). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and agreement of filter paper methods with the standard procedure were calculated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HPV in STM was 67.5%. Detection of HPV DNA in the physician-collected cervical samples on filter paper had a sensitivity of 77.8%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%, and an NPV of 68.4%. The patient's self-sampling on filter paper had a sensitivity of 66.7%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%, and an NPV of 59.1%. The agreement between STM method and physician-collected sample on filter paper was substantial, (κ = 0.695, P < 0.001), while the agreement between STM and self-collected samples on filter paper was moderate (κ = 0.565, P < 0.001). Most patients reported that self-collection was acceptable (100%), painless (95%), and not embarrassing (95%). CONCLUSION: Filter paper, with dried self-collected vaginal samples, can be used to detect high-risk HPV with acceptable accuracy.