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Sex Transm Infect 2000;76:46-48 doi:10.1136/sti.76.1.46

A new visual indicator of chlamydial cervicitis?

  1. J W Sellors1,2,3,
  2. S D Walter2,
  3. M Howard3
  1. 1Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University
  2. 2Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University
  3. 3Health Services Delivery Research Unit of the Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Community Health Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  1. John W Sellors, Health Services Delivery Research Unit, St Joseph's Community Health Centre, 2757 King Street East Room 2205, Hamilton, Ontario L8G 5E4, Canada
  • Accepted 15 October 1999

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of endocervical discharge opacity as a risk indicator for chlamydial infection in relation to two acknowledged visual indicators—yellow endocervical discharge and easily induced mucosal bleeding of the cervix.

Methods: Women from two family planning clinics, a therapeutic abortion clinic, and a university student health clinic (n=1418 total) consented to a pelvic examination and chlamydia testing, and completed a questionnaire on sociodemographics, sexual behaviour, medical history, and symptoms. A case of chlamydia was defined as positive by culture or blocked enzyme immunoassay in an endocervical swab.

Results: The prevalence of chlamydial infection in the clinics was 6.3%. All three of the visual indicators—yellow endocervical discharge, easily induced bleeding, and opaque cervical discharge—were statistically significantly and independently associated with chlamydial infection (odds ratios 2.8, 2.3, and 2.9 respectively), independent of clinic type. Adjustment for the other visual indicators made little difference to the odds ratios.

Conclusion: Opacity of endocervical discharge was at least as important as the other two commonly acknowledged indicators of chlamydial cervicitis—yellow endocervical discharge and easily induced mucosal bleeding of the cervix.

Footnotes

  • Research Supported by 02551 from the Health Care Systems Research Program of the Ontario Ministry of Health, Toronto, Ontario.

  • Presented in part at the Ninth International Symposium on Human Chlamydial Infection. Napa, California, USA, 21–26 June 1998.

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