Adequacy of cervical cytology sampling with the Cervex brush and the Aylesbury spatula: a population based randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the adequacy of cervical cytology sampling with two sampling instruments commonly used in primary care-namely, the Aylesbury spatula and the Cervex brush.

Methods: Pair matched, population based randomised controlled trial. Methods: 86 general practices and family planning clinics in Greater Manchester. Methods: 15 882 cervical smears taken from women aged 20-64 years as part of the national cervical screening programme. Methods: Participating centres were allocated to sample with either the Cervex brush or the Aylesbury spatula. Methods: Inadequate smear rate.

Results: 5.4% and 5.5% (433/8086 and 426/7796) of smears taken with the Cervex brush and the Aylesbury spatula respectively were reported as inadequate (odds ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.74 to 1.22).

Conclusions: The Cervex brush offers no advantage over the Aylesbury spatula in reducing inadequate smear rates in the primary care setting.