Publications by authors named "Heather Currie"

Article Synopsis
  • The response rate for returning the kits was 20.5%, with older women showing higher participation; 12% tested positive for HPV mRNA.
  • Findings suggested that while self-sampling is feasible, only 1 in 5 women responded, indicating a need for future research on the effectiveness of reaching out to women who initially declined to engage.
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Background: We evaluated the longitudinal performance of three options: HPV16/18 genotyping (HPV16/18), cytology (LBC), and p16/Ki-67 dual stain cytology (DS) for the triage of high-risk Human Papillomavirus-positive (Hr-HPV+) women within the cervical screening program in Scotland.

Methods: Data were derived from a cohort of Hr-HPV+ women (n = 385) who participated in PaVDaG (Papillomavirus Dumfries and Galloway) study. Performance of triage strategies for detecting high-grade disease was assessed at 3 (in women <50 years) or 5 years (in women >50 years).

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Self-sampling provides a powerful means to engage women in cervical screening. In the original Papillomavirus Dumfries and Galloway study (PaVDaG), we demonstrated cross-sectional similarity of high-risk human papillomavirus (Hr-HPV) testing on self-taken vaginal vs clinician-taken samples for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 or worse (CIN2+). Few data exist on the longitudinal performance of self-sampling; we present longitudinal outcomes of PaVDaG.

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Menopause is a major life event affecting all women in a variety of ways, both short and long term. All women should have access to accurate information, available in all forms and through all recognised sources. All healthcare professionals should have a basic understanding of the menopause and know where to signpost women for advice, support and treatment whenever appropriate.

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Several options for the triage of high-risk HPV screen-positive (hrHPV) women were assessed. This study incorporated CIN2 cases and controls, all of whom tested hrHPV and whose results of liquid-based cytology (LBC), HPV16/18 genotyping, and p16/Ki67 cytoimmunochemistry were available. Sensitivity and specificity for the CIN2 of these triage tests were evaluated.

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Objectives: Papillomavirus Dumfries and Galloway (PaVDaG) assessed the performance of a high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) PCR-based assay to detect high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+) in self-collected vaginal and urine samples.

Setting: Women attending routine cervical screening in primary care.

Participants: 5318 women aged 20-60 years provided self-collected random urine and vaginal samples for hrHPV testing and a clinician-collected liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample for cytology and hrHPV testing.

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The menopause should be diagnosed based on age, menstrual history and clinical symptoms, and as such, follicle stimulating hormone testing may be considered inappropriate when diagnosing the menopause or peri-menopause in women aged 45 and over. As part of a demand optimisation programme, the number of follicle stimulating hormone tests requested to diagnose the menopause in this age group was quantified and educational interventions were implemented to reduce inappropriate testing. The number of follicle stimulating hormone tests requested to diagnose the menopause in women aged 45 and over was successfully and sustainably reduced.

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Objective: To assess women's behaviours and attitudes regarding the treatment of menopausal symptoms in five European countries.

Study Design: Women aged ≥45 years in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom participated in an internet survey. Completers were those who reported menopausal symptoms and had treated their symptoms.

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The term genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) emerged following a consensus conference held in May 2013. GSM is a more descriptive term than vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and does not imply pathology. However there are concerns that GSM is all encompassing and includes not only symptoms resulting from estrogen deficiency, but also those arising from the effects of ageing and other processes on the bladder and pelvic floor.

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Objective: To survey women's views on HRT and alternative therapies and make comparisons with 2007 data.

Study Design: A questionnaire on a UK patient-tailored independent clinician-led website with anonymous responses analysed using descriptive statistics.

Main Outcome Measures: Answers to survey questions in 2007 and 2014.

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