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Timing of urine sample collection makes little difference in STD testing

Category: Chlamydia

When using urine samples for STD tests for chlamydia, the timing of when the sample is collected does not greatly affect the accuracy of the test results, according to a new study published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

The results could make it easier for physicians to screen patients for a number of health complications with just one test. In particular, doctors may be able to use one sample to test for chlamydia and urinary tract infections.

Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand became interested in the timing of urinary sample collection when they considered the strict requirements of different disease tests. Chlamydia is typically screened for by using first-void urine samples, while urinary tract infections utilize mid-stream samples.

However, after analyzing both types of samples from 100 women, the researchers found that either approach was equally as effective at diagnosing chlamydia and urinary tract infections.

The researchers said their findings could help simplify the testing process for chlamydia and urinary tract infections by showing that the timing of sample collection makes little difference in the results.