Diagnostic accuracy of the Daye diagnostic tampon compared to clinician-collected and self-collected vaginal swabs for detecting HPV: a comparative study
ABSTRACT
Cervical cancer screening is vital for achieving global elimination of this preventable disease. Vaginal self-sampling (VSS) for human papillomavirus (HPV) has the potential to increase screening uptake, particularly among individuals who may be underserved by clinician collection. Expanding self-sampling options with accurate, acceptable collection devices is essential. The Daye diagnostic tampon (DDT) offers an innovative approach, utilizing a tampon for HPV-based detection. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of DDT in detecting high-risk HPV infections, using vaginal clinician-collected swabs (CCS) as the reference standard. In this UK-based study, 260 participants provided CCS and VSS (with Copan FLOQSwabs) and DDT samples for HPV testing. Samples were analyzed using the Aptima HPV assay, which detects 14 high-risk HPV types. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the DDT were evaluated against the CCS. Invalidity rates—HPV-negative results with negative internal controls—were compared across sampling methods. The DDT showed a sensitivity of 82.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 72.4%–89.9%], specificity of 91.6% (CI: 86.4%–94.9%), and overall accuracy of 89.0% (CI: 84.4%–92.4%) relative to CCS. McNemar’s test showed no significant difference between CCS and DDT results ( P = 0.845). Valid result rates were highest for DDT (99.2%), followed by VSS (95.4%) and CCS (90.8%). The DDT demonstrates comparable accuracy to CCS for detecting high-risk HPV. This novel device shows promise as a self-sampling method. Furthermore, complementary research should focus on assessing DDT’s clinical performance in detecting HPV associated with cervical disease endpoints.
IMPORTANCE
Cervical cancer remains a leading preventable cause of cancer death globally, with persistent disparities in screening access. Self-sampling for HPV has emerged as a critical tool to improve screening uptake, particularly among underserved populations, yet device acceptability and diagnostic reliability remain barriers to equitable implementation. This study demonstrates that the Daye diagnostic tampon (DDT), a novel, tampon-based self-sampling method, achieves diagnostic accuracy comparable to clinician-collected swabs (sensitivity 82.9% and specificity 91.6%) while yielding fewer invalid results (0.8%) than conventional swabs. By aligning with a familiar menstrual product, the DDT addresses usability concerns that hinder confidence in existing self-sampling devices, as evidenced by 70.5% participant preference in focus groups. These findings advance progress toward World Health Organisation (WHO) cervical cancer elimination targets by validating a culturally resonant, high-performance alternative to clinic-based sampling. The DDT’s potential to expand screening access, especially in low-resource settings or among individuals avoiding pelvic exams, could transform preventive care landscapes, reducing disparities in a disease rooted in healthcare inequity.