Diagnostic tests for vaginosis/vaginitis
Harstall C, Corabian P
Record ID 31999008036
English
Authors' objectives:
To provide information on the diagnostic accuracy of tests used for the detection of bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and trichomoniasis in females of reproductive age. This information may be input for the development of a provincial guideline.
Authors' recommendations:
The scientific evidence to date suggests relatively poor diagnostic performance of the available tests. The accuracy of the clinical criteria used for the diagnosis of these three disease states needs to be re evaluated. Accurate, reproducible and rapid laboratory methods are important since recent data suggest an association between bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis and trichomoniasis and serious obstetrical and gynecological complications. New diagnostic tests look promising but they are expensive and require specialized skills. Antibody and DNA based techniques have the potential to increase accuracy and decrease laboratory time. Further work is needed on their cost effectiveness in routine application.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1998
URL for published report:
http://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search/diagnostic-tests-for-vaginosis-vaginitis
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Diagnostic Tests, Routine
- Female
- Intraabdominal Infections
- Vaginal Diseases
- Vaginitis
- Vulvovaginitis
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address:
1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright:
<p>Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research</p>
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.