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How painful is a urethral swab?

How painful is a urethral swab? A single centre, randomised controlled trial.

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ISRCTN
Registry ID
ISRCTN50938901
Enrollment
121
Registered
2010-01-27
Start date
2008-05-19
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Genito-urinary medicine Urological and Genital Diseases

Interventions

Following informed consent, participants will be randomised to receive one of the following types of swab first: 1. To have a gonorrhoea Dacron tipped swab first 2. To have a chlamydia Rayon tipped sw

Sponsors

Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
Male

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: All male patients over 16 attending the Genito-Urinary clinic during the study period and having swab tests will be invited to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Subjects who have passed urine within 2 hours of planned procedure (swab) 2. Subjects who have taken analgesics, anti-depressants or anti-epileptic drugs in the previous 24 hours

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
The discomfort felt during urethral swab procedure after the first of 3 different swab types are used, will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (0-100mm)

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
1. The discomfort during the procedure using each of the other two types of swab using the Visual Analogue Scale (0-100mm) will be assessed. 2. Data on presence and severity of urethral symptoms prior to swab taking will be collected using the Data Collection form. 3. Data will also be collected on the identity of the HCW taking the swab and the presence of epithelial cells (a marker of an adequately taken swab) and polymorphonuclear cells (a marker of inflammation) in the specimen and voided urine after swabs.

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026