How reliable is self-testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia among men who have sex with men?
Our study shows that patients who collected their own rectal and pharyngeal samples had test results that were of equal or better accuracy than those of clinical providers.
Study limitations. This was a self- selected MSM sample seeking STI testing from an urban community health center. Thus, one might assume that the detection of pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia infections was higher in this sample compared with the general MSM population. That seems unlikely, however, given the similarity (noted earlier) between our findings and data reported in previous studies.1-4 Additionally, the presence of a provider in the room may have influenced patient performance, as we discussed earlier.
It therefore appears that self-administered testing could have universal applicability. Once optimal ways to incorporate self-testing for both men and women are identified, providers should be able to comply with the CDC testing guidelines without an increase in time or staff needed, thereby leading to increased detection and treatment of STIs and benefits for both patients and providers.
CORRESPONDENCE
Michael W. Plankey, PhD, Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, 2115 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 130, Washington, DC 20007; mwp23@georgetown.edu
