TY - CONF
T1 - A cluster trial of molecular point-of-care tests for sexually transmissible infections (STIS)
T2 - 2016 Australasian Sexual Health Conference
AU - Guy, Rebecca
AU - Kaldor, John
AU - Causer, Louise
AU - Wand, Handan
AU - Natoli, Lisa
AU - Badman, Susan
AU - Hengel, Belinda
AU - Tangey, Annie
AU - Fairley, Christopher
AU - Whiley, David
AU - Tabrizi, Sepehr
AU - Anderson, D
AU - Shephard, Mark
AU - Regan, David
AU - Maher, L
AU - Wilson, D
AU - Donovan, Brian
AU - Ward, James
PY - 2016/11/14
Y1 - 2016/11/14
N2 - Background:In many remote Aboriginal communities with high rates of STIs, the distance from laboratories and difficulties recalling patients impedes timely and effective treatment. We conducted the world’s first trial to determine if molecular point-of-care (POC) tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea could increase the timeliness of treatment and reduce re-infections.Here we report on the treatment outcomes.Methods:Twelve primary care services in remote Aboriginal communities participated in a cross-over cluster randomised trial(7 in WA, 3 in FNQ, 2 in SA).Half the services were randomly assigned to using molecular POC tests(Cepheid, GeneXpert)or standard-of-care(no POC tests). POC tests also had standard laboratory testing conducted in parallel, but treatment decisions for asymptomatic patients were based on POC results. After 12 months the services crossed over to the opposite arm for 12 months. We conducted an analysis of audit data from eight health services and calculated the time-to-treatment and proportion treated in 3 and 7days. Results: Data were available from 541people who tested positive to either chlamydia or gonorrhea, by either test. Among those who had a POC test done, 96% were treated and the mean time-to-treatment was 4 days(median=0), whereas in the standard-care-arm88% were treated ina mean of 14 days(median=7)(p<0.01). Among those who had a POC test, 85%were treated in under7 days compared with 50%in the standard-care arm, for an absolute difference of 25%(3%-51%across 8services).The comparison for under 3 days was 69% versus33% for a difference of 36% (11-64%).Conclusions: In remote areas where STI prevalence is high and access to conventional laboratory diagnosis is problematic, use of molecular STI POC tests by primary care services has led to a very substantial increase in the timeliness of treatment.
AB - Background:In many remote Aboriginal communities with high rates of STIs, the distance from laboratories and difficulties recalling patients impedes timely and effective treatment. We conducted the world’s first trial to determine if molecular point-of-care (POC) tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea could increase the timeliness of treatment and reduce re-infections.Here we report on the treatment outcomes.Methods:Twelve primary care services in remote Aboriginal communities participated in a cross-over cluster randomised trial(7 in WA, 3 in FNQ, 2 in SA).Half the services were randomly assigned to using molecular POC tests(Cepheid, GeneXpert)or standard-of-care(no POC tests). POC tests also had standard laboratory testing conducted in parallel, but treatment decisions for asymptomatic patients were based on POC results. After 12 months the services crossed over to the opposite arm for 12 months. We conducted an analysis of audit data from eight health services and calculated the time-to-treatment and proportion treated in 3 and 7days. Results: Data were available from 541people who tested positive to either chlamydia or gonorrhea, by either test. Among those who had a POC test done, 96% were treated and the mean time-to-treatment was 4 days(median=0), whereas in the standard-care-arm88% were treated ina mean of 14 days(median=7)(p<0.01). Among those who had a POC test, 85%were treated in under7 days compared with 50%in the standard-care arm, for an absolute difference of 25%(3%-51%across 8services).The comparison for under 3 days was 69% versus33% for a difference of 36% (11-64%).Conclusions: In remote areas where STI prevalence is high and access to conventional laboratory diagnosis is problematic, use of molecular STI POC tests by primary care services has led to a very substantial increase in the timeliness of treatment.
UR - https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/169685/399170/
M3 - Abstract
Y2 - 14 November 2016
ER -