The effectiveness of cervical smear collection devicesâ€
| Outcomes | Heterogeneity | Comparison | Weighted proportions | RBI (95% CI) | NNS (CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| †Ayre's = Ayre's spatula; BB = Baynebrush; CB = Cervexbrush; Cy = Cytobrush; Ext tip = extended tip spatula; NNS = number needed to screen; NS = not significant; Sp = spatula; Sw = swab. Other abbreviations defined in glossary; RBI, NNS, and CI calculated from data in article. | |||||
| Endocervical cells | p<0.001 | Ext tip v Ayre's | 66% v 46% | 50% (30 to 73) | 6 (4 to 8) |
| NS | Sp + Cy v BB | 92% v 90% | 2% (1 to 4) | 46 (30 to 102) | |
| p<0.001 | Sp + Cy v Sp | 100% v 87% | 17% (10 to 23) | 8 (6 to 12) | |
| p<0.001 | Sp + Cy v Sp + Sw | 95% v 79% | 24% (14 to 35) | 7 (5 to 11) | |
| p<0.001 | Sp + Cy v CB | 94% v 89% | 5% (2 to 9) | 21 (14 to 49) | |
| Adequate smears | NS | Sp + Cy v CB | 97% v 96% | 1% (1 to 2) | 83 (56 to 159) |
| Dyskaryotic cells | p<0.001 | Ext tip v Ayre's | 10% v 8% | 17% (7 to 27) | 50 (28 to 270) |