Predictors of cervical dysplasia after the loop electrosurgical excision procedure in an inner-city population

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with persistence or clearance of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) following loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in high-risk patients. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective database review, we identified 343 patients who had 2 LEEP procedures or LEEP followed by hysterectomy for CIN at Grady Memorial Hospital. We compared margin status, endocervical curettage (ECC) at LEEP and follow-up cytology for patients characterized as having persistent or nonpersistent dysplasia. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent (71/90) of patients with positive LEEP margins had persistent disease vs. 50% (45/90) with negative margins (odds ratio [OR]=3.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-7.2, P<.0001). Ninety-one percent (29/32) with positive margins and positive ECC had persistent disease vs. 47% (26/55) with negative margins and negative ECC (OR=10.8, 95% CI 2.9-39.6, P<.0001). Sixty-eight percent (149/218) with at least 1 positive Pap smear following LEEP had persistent disease vs. 37% (11/30) with all negative follow-up Pap smears (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 1.7-8.3, P = .0007). CONCLUSION: Although the risk of persistent CIN increased with positive LEEP margins, ECC and cytology, these variables, when negative, offered no ensurance of a future disease-free state in this high-risk population.