Impact of alternative management policies on health-related quality of life in women with low-grade abnormal cervical cytology referred for colposcopy

Objective

To assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) over 30 months among women who received colposcopy following low-grade abnormal cervical cytology.

Design

751 women with low-grade abnormal cytology were seen for colposcopy. Of these, 350 additionally underwent either immediate treatment by large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) or investigation by punch biopsy followed by treatment of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia if present. The HRQoL of the women was assessed on seven separate occasions over 30 months by means of the EQ-5D instrument. Outcomes for women receiving colposcopy only, colposcopy with biopsy and colposcopy with LLETZ were compared.

Results

Women experienced modest short-term increases in HRQoL, statistically significant for the colposcopy only and biopsy groups but not for the LLETZ group. HRQoL in all three groups thereafter fell until 12 months following recruitment, significantly so for the LLETZ group. Changes in EQ-5D index score arose primarily from changes in severities in the “pain and discomfort” and “anxiety and depression” domains. Changes in the visual analogue scale (VAS) representations of quality of life corresponded closely to those of the index scores and most of the VAS scores themselves did not differ from VAS population norms. All inter-assessment changes in index scores were smaller than the minimum important difference for the instrument. Beyond 18 months from recruitment, HRQoL stabilised in all three groups.

Conclusion

Women referred to colposcopy following a low-grade abnormal smear test result experienced a short-term improvement in their health-related quality of life, but the long-term effect was insubstantial. HRQoL over the post-recruitment follow-up period did not vary by intervention.     

Evaluation of women presenting with postcoital bleeding by cytology and colposcopy

Objective

To evaluate women with postcoital bleeding (PCB) by clinical examination, cytology, colposcopy, and histopathology.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 123 women with PCB, who were referred to the Colposcopy Clinic of Arash Hospital, Tehran, over a 2-year period.

Results

Clinical examinations revealed cervical polyps in 18 women and ectropion in 14. Cervical cytology identified 13 patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, 2 with atypical glandular cells, 4 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 3 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Colposcopy indicated invasive cancer in 1 patient. Transitional zones appeared normal in 39.8% of the cohort, were atypical grade 1 in 33.3%, and atypical grade 2 in 4.9%. Fourteen abnormalities were detected at histology, including 1 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 low-grade glandular neoplasm, 9 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1, 2 CIN grade 2, and 1 CIN grade 3. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology were 50% and 86.5%, respectively. A total of 21.4% of abnormal pathologies were missed using colposcopy, which had a sensitivity of 79%.

Conclusion

Because of its higher sensitivity, colposcopy can be recommended for the investigation of persistent PCB, even in the presence of normal cytology.     

Performance and cost analysis of Siriraj liquid-based cytology: A direct-to-vial study

Objective

To compare the cytological diagnoses, specimen adequacy, and cost of the Siriraj liquid-based cytology (LBC) with those of the conventional smear technique.

Study design

An observational study with historical comparison was conducted in a tertiary university hospital. Cytological reports of 23,676 Siriraj-LBC specimens obtained in 2006 were compared with those of 25,510 conventional smears obtained in 2004.

Results

Overall prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology detected by conventional smear was 1.76% and by Siriraj-LBC was 3.70%. Compared with the conventional method, the Siriraj-LBC yielded a significantly higher overall detection rate of abnormal cervical cytology, with a 110.23% increase in the detection rate (P < 0.001), mainly due to the increase in diagnosis of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), both low and high grade, together with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, “atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL”, and malignancies, but not atypical glandular cells. The Siriraj-LBC had a smaller proportion of unsatisfactory slides (4.94% vs. 18.60%, P < 0.001) and a higher negative predictive value (96.33% vs. 92.74%, P = 0.001), but no difference in positive predictive value (83.03% vs. 86.83%, P = 0.285). The cost of Siriraj-LBC was approximately 67% higher than that of the conventional cytology used in Siriraj Hospital and 50–70% lower than that of the commercially available LBC techniques in Thailand.

Conclusion

The Siriraj-LBC increases the detection rate of abnormal cytology, improves specimen adequacy, and enhances the negative predictive value without compromising the positive predictive value. For centers where conventional Pap smear does not perform well, the introduction of a low cost Siriraj-LBC might help to improve performance and it may be an economical alternative to the commercially available liquid-based cytology.     

A longitudinal 2-year follow-up of quality of life in women referred for colposcopy after an abnormal cervical smear

Objective

To evaluate the long-term impact on quality of life (QoL) in women referred for colposcopy after an abnormal cervical smear.

Study design

One hundred consecutive women referred for colposcopy for the first time subsequent to receiving notification of an abnormal cervical smear. Women in the study group completed the Swedish Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36), the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, Form Y), and the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Self-rate (MADRS-S). The women had follow-up visits at 6 months and 2 years.

Results

The baseline mean for the mental component summary score and for all mental subscale scores on the SF-36 were statistically significantly lower than Swedish normative data for women. At the end of 2 years, the mental component summary scale and vitality were still significantly lower than such data. There were no differences in QoL between women having had treatment with Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ) compared to those who did not. When studied separately, non-depressed women felt no impact on QoL whereas women with higher depression scores judged their mental health QoL worse.

Conclusions

Women experienced long-lasting negative effects on their mental health, but not on their physical health after referral for colposcopy. LLETZ had no measurable influence on QoL at any of the visits. This indicates that it is not the severity of the lesions or the treatment itself that affects women but the fact of having had an abnormal cervical smear identified. Depressive mood may be a major variable for the perception of low QoL.     

Factors affecting compliance in the first year of postcolposcopy surveillance among women with a high incidence of cervical cancer

Objective

To assess postcolposcopy compliance among women with abnormal cervical screening results and to identify factors associated with noncompliance for postcolposcopy follow-up.

Methods

In a retrospective study, the records of women who underwent colposcopy at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand, between January and December 2010 were reviewed. Women were considered to be noncompliant if their total follow-up time after colposcopy was less than 12 months. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to determine factors significantly predicting noncompliance.

Results

Among 548 women who underwent colposcopy, the percentage of noncompliance was 49.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 45.1%–53.7%). The risk for noncompliance rose significantly among those without intraepithelial lesions (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.53–3.13), younger age (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.19–2.67), and low education level (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.11–2.24). Risk for noncompliance was significantly lower among those with a previous history of abnormal smear (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.24–0.64).

Conclusion

The percentage of noncompliance with postcolposcopy follow-up was high among the study women. The significant independent factors predicting noncompliance were previous history of abnormal smear, severity of cervical histopathology, age, and education level.     

Ten-year outcomes of a one-stop colposcopy clinic: a unique service for low grade cytology

Objective

To determine patient acceptance of treatment, and treatment default rate, at a one-stop clinic, and to establish the concordance of punch and loop histology for high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) by date of excisional treatment.

Study design

Retrospective review of computerised data and clinic files of 2090 women with low grade cytology undergoing cervical punch biopsies between 2001 and 2011 at the colposcopy clinic, Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre, Gateshead, UK. Punch biopsies were micro-wave processed and reported within 2 h, and women were offered immediate loop biopsy if high grade CIN was confirmed. Data were collected regarding patients’ choice for immediate or deferred treatment and default rate. Histological outcomes were compared between those undergoing immediate and deferred loop biopsies.

Results

Of the 360 women (17%) with high grade CIN on punch biopsy, 259 (72%) opted to have immediate loop treatment at the first visit. Of these women, 190 (73%) had high grade CIN on loop histology. Of 97 women (27%) who had deferred loop biopsy after a median of 28 days (range 7–112), 65 (67%) had high grade CIN on loop histology. The default rate at return for treatment appointments was 0% amongst all patients.

Conclusion

This one-stop colposcopy clinic reduces defaulting from treatment. It has proven to be a sustainable service and the majority of women, when given the choice, opt for immediate loop treatment at their first visit.     

The increased detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia when using a second biopsy at colposcopy

Objective

It has been suggested that colposcopy can miss a significant percentage of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 +). Improved disease ascertainment was evaluated by taking multiple lesion-directed biopsies.

Methods

In a cross-sectional multicenter study in the Netherlands and Spain, 610 women referred to colposcopy following abnormal cervical cytology results were included. Multiple directed biopsies were collected from lesions and ranked according to impression. A non-directed biopsy of normal-appearing tissue was added if fewer than four biopsies were collected. We evaluated the additional CIN2 + yield for one and two directed biopsies. Colposcopic images were reviewed for quality control.

Results

In women with at least two lesion-directed biopsies the yield for CIN2 + increased from 51.7% (95%CI; 45.7–57.7) for one directed biopsy to 60.4% (95%CI; 54.4–66.2, p < 0.001) for two biopsies. The highest CIN2 + yield was observed in women who were HPV16-positive, had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cytology, and high-grade colposcopy impression. The yield increased from 83.1% (95%CI; 71.5–90.5) with one directed biopsy to 93.2% (95%CI; 83.8–97.3) with two directed biopsies. Only 4.5% additional CIN2 + were detected in biopsies not targeting abnormal areas on the cervix.

Conclusions

A second lesion-directed biopsy is associated with a significant increase in CIN2 + detection. Performing a second lesion-directed biopsy and using a low threshold for abnormality of any acetowhitening should become the standard clinical practice of colposcopy.     

Correlation of Cytology and Colposcopic Findings Using Reid’s Index in VIA-Positive Women

Introduction

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Indian women. Only 5 % of women in developing countries have ever been screened for cervical abnormalities.

Objectives

To study the correlation of cytology and colposcopy in VIA-positive women attending the Gynaecology clinic.

Materials and Methods

This prospective cross-sectional study on 200 symptomatic women compares the role of cytology and colposcopy in the assessment of subjects testing positive for acetowhite lesions on the cervix after application of 5 % acetic acid (VIA).

Results

200/637 women screened in OPD tested VIA positive, giving a positivity rate of 31 %. Six smears were reported as LGSIL or HGSIL giving a cytological abnormality rate of 3 %. The association between cytology and Reid’s score was statistically significant at a p value of 0.02. Of the 4 cases with biopsy-confirmed invasive cancer, cytology reported 2 as LGSIL and 2 as HGSIL. Colposcopy reported all these women as CIN 2/3.

Conclusion

The accuracies of Pap smear cytology and colposcopy in the diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous lesions of cervix were good.     

Who defaults from colposcopy? A multi-centre,population-based,prospective cohort study of predictors of non-attendance for follow-up among women with low-grade abnormal cervical cytology

Objective

The success of cervical screening relies on women with abnormal cervical cytology attending for follow-up by colposcopy and related procedures. Failure to attend for colposcopy, however, is a common problem in many countries. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with non-attendance at an initial colposcopy examination among women with low-grade abnormal cervical cytology.

Study design

A cohort study was conducted within one arm of a multi-centre population-based randomised controlled trial nested within the UK NHS Cervical Screening Programmes. The trial recruited women aged 20–59 years with recent low-grade cervical cytology; women randomised to immediate referral for colposcopy were included in the current analysis (n = 2213). At trial recruitment, women completed a socio-demographic and lifestyle questionnaire; 1693 women in the colposcopy arm were also invited to complete a psychosocial questionnaire, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Women were sent up to two colposcopy appointments. A telephone number was provided to reschedule if necessary. Defaulters were defined as those who failed to attend after two appointments. Logistic regression methods were used to compute multivariate odds ratios (OR) to identify variables significantly associated with default.

Results

148 women defaulted (6.7%, 95%CI 5.7–7.8%). In multivariate analysis, risk of default was significantly raised in those not in paid employment (OR = 2.70, 95%CI 1.64–4.43) and current smokers (OR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.12–2.34). Default risk deceased with increasing age and level of post-school education/training and was lower in women with children (OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.35–0.98). Among the sub-group invited to complete psychosocial questionnaires, women who were not worried about having cervical cancer were significantly more likely to default (multivariate OR = 1.56, 95%CI 1.04–2.35). Anxiety and depression were not significantly associated with default.

Conclusions

Women at highest risk of default from colposcopy are younger, not in paid employment, smoke, lack post-school education, have not had children and are not worried about having cervical cancer. Findings such as these could inform the development of tools to predict the likelihood that an individual woman will default from follow-up. Interventions to minimise default also deserve consideration, but a better understanding of reasons for default is needed to inform intervention development.     

Does experience in colposcopy improve identification of high grade abnormalities?

Objective

This study investigates whether experience in colposcopy improves identification of high grade abnormalities. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of colposcopy in identifying high grade intra-epithelial lesions (HSIL) performed by relatively inexperienced as compared to experienced colposcopists are evaluated.

Study design

Of 18,421 colposcopies performed at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, between 1999 and 2004 by 5 senior and 11 junior colposcopists, the colposcopic impression was correlated with the histopathology result of the biopsy taken at 6020 colposcopies, with respect to the experience of the colposcopist.

Results

Colposcopy had a 60% sensitivity and 60% PPV in identifying HSIL in this study. In case of a high-grade referral smear the sensitivity and PPV in identifying HSIL were, respectively 76% and 73%, compared with 26% and 48% in case of a low-grade referral smear, no difference in overall colposcopic performance between experienced and inexperienced colposcopists was observed. However, the sensitivity of identifying HSIL was significantly higher with inexperienced colposcopists, and the PPV was significantly higher with experienced colposcopists.

Conclusion

In this study experience did not improve colposcopic performance, but differences in colposcopic strategy between the two groups were noted. The rather low overall sensitivity and PPV of colposcopy in identifying HSIL, especially in case of a low-grade referral smear, indicate that the role of colposcopy in the detection and treatment of cervical abnormalities is to assess size, site, and extent of an abnormality, rather than to assess the severity of this abnormality. Histology must remain the gold standard for treatment.     

Cervical cytology and multiple type HPV infection: A study of 8182 women ages 31–65

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the rates of single and multiple type human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women in the United States ages 31–65 with known cervical cytology results.

Methods

Type-specific HPV analyses were conducted using the first samples of women who had HPV typing performed by Access Genetics as part of cervical cancer screening between July 2007 and May 2011. Women 31–65 years at testing with associated abnormal cytology results were included. The odds of abnormal cytology (compared to normal results) for multiple vs. single HPV infections were calculated for each cytology sub-type and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.

Results

The analysis included 8182 women. The majority (67.7%) had ASCUS cervical cytology. A total of 329 (4.0%) were positive for 2 or more HPV types. For all cervical cytology subtypes considered (ASCUS, ASCUS-H, LSIL or HSIL), women with multiple type infections were more likely to have abnormal cytology (compared to normal cytology) with the highest OR associated with HSIL (OR 1.81 (1.26–2.60)). When analyzing HPV type 16 alone, women with multiple type infections were more likely to have abnormal cytology, with the highest OR associated with HSIL cytology (OR 2.98 (1.57–5.64)). Few women had HPV type 18 infections and no results reached statistical significance. Results based on phylogenic family organization focusing on the alpha 9 phylogenic family showed similar results as HPV type 16.

Conclusions

Women ages 31–65 with multiple type HPV infections were more likely to have abnormal cytology than those with single HPV type infections.     

Liquid-based cytology and human papillomavirus testing: A pooled analysis using the data from 13 population-based cervical cancer screening studies from China

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of introducing HR-HPV testing in cytology regarding cervical cancer screening practice.

Methods

A pooled analysis of liquid-based cytology (LBC) and HR-HPV testing using data from 13 population-based cervical cancer screening studies conducted in China was performed. Participants (n = 25,404) received LBC and HR-HPV testing. Women found to be positive on screening were referred for colposcopy and biopsy. The effectiveness of screening strategies that use: LBC with HR-HPV triage for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), HR-HPV testing with cytology triage for HPV positive tests, or LBC and HPV cotesting was compared with that of LBC screening alone.

Results

LBC with HR-HPV triage for ASC-US had similar sensitivity compared with LBC alone, but significantly increased specificity for both cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2 +) and CIN3 or worse (CIN3 +) endpoints, and had the best balance between sensitivity and specificity among the strategies. LBC and HR-HPV cotesting had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) and could permit a safe extension of screening intervals. Through the use of an immediate colposcopy threshold of ASC-US or worse for HR-HPV positive women and the use of a raised threshold of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or worse for HR-HPV negative women, LBC and HR-HPV cotesting could provide the same effectiveness as LBC testing with HR-HPV triage for ASC-US at baseline tests.

Conclusions

The results of the current study support the use of the cervical cancer screening guidelines in China.     

Atypical squamous cells and low squamous intraepithelial lesions in postmenopausal women: implications for management

Objectives

To determine whether the use of local Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) affects the adequacy of colposcopic examination; to distinguish abnormal cervical smears secondary to hypoestrogenism from abnormal cervical smears due to true preneoplastic changes; and to suggest an effective management of atypical squamous cells of undeterminated significance (ASCUS) and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (L-SIL) in menopausal women.

Study design

Two-hundred fifty-four postmenopausal women with abnormal pap smears (L-SIL or ASCUS) underwent colposcopy and HPV DNA testing. All patients with positive colposcopy underwent punch biopsy, and all patients with positive histological findings underwent surgical treatment. Patients with negative colposcopy, both satisfactory [visible Squamo-Columnar Junction (SCJ)] and unsatisfactory, were treated with local estrogenic replacement therapy (ERT) for 3 months, and repeated colposcopy and pap smears. Patients with negative colposcopy and negative pap smears after ERT were included in a 6 months cytological and colposcopic follow-up. Patients with positive colposcopy underwent punch biopsy, if colposcopy was negative and cytology was positive, patients underwent endocervical curettage.

Results

One-hundred ninety-five had a diagnosis of ASCUS and 59 a diagnosis of L-SIL. At the first colposcopy, 39 patients showed a lesion and had an appropriate treatment. One-hundred eighty-eight in the ASCUS group and 27 in the L-SIL group had a negative colposcopy and were treated with local ERT. At first colposcopic examination, 37 of the 215 negative colposcopies resulted satisfactory and 178 of the 215 resulted unsatisfactory. After local ERT, 130 of the 178 patients had a satisfactory follow-up colposcopy. After ERT, 25 patients of 215 with initial abnormal CVS and negative colposcopy, required appropriate treatment. After ERT, 190 patients of 215 showed negative colposcopy and at cytologic follow-up showed 23 ASCUS and 167 normal CVS.

Conclusions

A correct diagnosis and an efficient treatment seem to be obtained with a short-time ERT followed by a short-time cytological and colposcopic follow-up. With a single course of local ERT it may be possible to distinguish between benign CVS mimicking atrophy and true preneoplastic changes. Estrogen therapy will often cause enough ectropion of the endocervical cells so that the entire SCJ can be visualized. Moreover, it may reduce the number of endocervical curettage or loop excision or cone procedure for women with inadequate colposcopic examination.     

How distressing is referral to colposcopy in cervical cancer screening?: A prospective quality of life study

Objective

Referral for colposcopy because of abnormal Pap test results is likely to be distressing, but the extent and duration of these effects are unknown. We aimed to fill this gap.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study at two departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (an academic and a non-academic setting). Women referred for colposcopy completed questionnaires before colposcopy, and at 1, 3, and 6 months afterwards. A reference group of 706 screen participants, aged 29–60 years old, was included and completed questionnaires once. Main outcome measures were generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL), assessed through the EQ-5D and the SF-12 physical and mental scores (PCS-12 and MCS-12); anxiety as assessed by STAI-6, and screen-specific anxiety as assessed by the psychological consequences questionnaire (PCQ).

Results

154 women responded to the questionnaire, of whom 132 were included in the analyses. Histological results were CIN 1 in 17/115 women (15%) and CIN 2 + in 62 (54%). In 36 women (31%) there was no histologically confirmed neoplasia. Before colposcopy physical HRQoL scores were similar or slightly better than in the reference group, while mental HRQoL (MSC-12) and (screen-specific) anxiety were worse (p < 0.001). Irrespective of CIN-grades, anxiety washed out during follow-up (p < 0.001), with changes being clinically relevant.

Conclusions

Referral for gynecological evaluation because of abnormal PAP-test results was distressing. Anxiety – and not the physical burden of management – seemed to be the most bothersome to women. For all CIN-grades, distress disappeared over six months following colposcopy, suggesting a reassuring effect of gynecological management.     

Complementary Procedures in Cervical Cancer Screening in Low Resource Settings

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of pap smear, HPV DNA testing and colposcopy and to determine the approach for cervical cancer screening in low resource settings.

Methods

Eight hundred non pregnant married women above 30 years of age were studied and subjected to pap smear examination. Hysterectomised women were excluded from the study. Selected patients were followed by HPV DNA testing by Hybrid Capture II method, colposcopy and biopsy. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value (PPV), Negative predictive value (NPV), diagnostic accuracy and kappa value (k) were calculated for each screening test.

Result

Out of eight hundred women with mean age 36.5 ± 5.94 years undergoing pap smear, ASCUS was found in 66(8.25%), ASC-H in 2(0.25%), LSIL in 48(6%), HSIL in 8(1%), inflammatory in 540(67.5%). Out of 260 women who underwent HPV DNA testing, 120 (46.15%) had abnormal cytology and/or positive HPV DNA test (Group I, n = 120) and 140(53.8%) had dual negative results (Group II, n = 140) HPV DNA test was found positive in 64 women (53.3%) in Group I. Sensitivity and specificity of pap smear was 69.2 and 63.72% while for HPV DNA testing was 92.3 and 84% respectively. PPV and NPV of pap smear, HPV DNA testing and colposcopy was 18, 40, 76.4% and 94.7, 98.9, 100% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of pap smear (k = 0.14), HPV DNA test (k = 0.70) and colposcopy (k = 0.81) was 64.29, 84.9, and 96.8% respectively. Combining pap smear &; HPV DNA testing (k = 0.25) increased the sensitivity and NPV to 100%.

Conclusion

Sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of HPV DNA test is more than that of pap smear and the test is not influenced by inflammatory conditions of vagina. In low resource settings, women with ASCUS and LSIL on cervical cytology should be subjected to HPV DNA test and only if found positive should be referred for colposcopy thereby reducing colposcopy referrals. Women with HSIL should be directly subjected to colposcopy guided biopsy. Using this approach, most of the preinvasive cervical lesion will be detected but few cases will still be missed among inflammatory smears, if HPV DNA testing is not supplemented.     

Health-related quality of life and perception of anxiety in women with abnormal cervical cytology referred for colposcopy: an observational study

Objective

To evaluate health-related quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with abnormal cervical cytology referred for colposcopy.

Study design

An observational study with prospective and retrospective cohorts. In the prospective arm 240 women referred for colposcopy filled in the 15D HRQoL and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires and were followed up for 12 months. In the retrospective arm 208 patients who had been treated for cervical dysplasia eight years earlier filled in the 15D HRQoL questionnaire. Results were compared with the age- and sex-standardized general population.

Results

In the prospective part of the study, the mean 15D score of the patients did not differ from that of the general population. On the dimensions of sleeping, distress and sexual activity, however, the patients scored lower than the general population (p < 0.001). Patients with higher levels of anxiety at baseline, according to the STAI questionnaire, had lower HRQoL during the whole 12-month observation period (p < 0.001). The overall HRQoL score of the patients treated for cervical dysplasia eight years earlier did not differ from that of the general population.

Conclusions

Abnormal cytology and referral for colposcopy were associated with anxiety and slightly impaired psychosocial components of HRQoL but did not reduce the overall HRQoL. High anxiety levels at baseline were associated with impaired HRQoL. Previous treatment for cervical dysplasia was not associated with impaired overall HRQoL.     

Abnormal cervical cytology among HIV-positive women in Nigeria

Objective

To determine the prevalence of abnormal cervical smears and high-grade lesions among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women, and to assess the relationship between severity of disease and CD4 count.

Methods

In a prospective cross-sectional comparative study, 250 HIV-positive and 250 HIV-negative women attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, were enrolled between January and March 2012. Cervical smear samples were collected from participants, examined, and reported via the Bethesda system. Data management and analysis was done with SPSS. Differences between the 2 study groups were determined by χ² test and Student t test.

Results

The prevalence of abnormal cervical smears was significantly higher among HIV-positive women (34.4%) than among HIV-negative women (20.2%) (P < 0.01). The proportion of high-grade lesions was significantly higher among HIV-positive women (23.5%) than among HIV-negative women (8.2%) (P = 0.025). HIV-positive women with a CD4 count below 500 cells/mm³ had significantly more abnormal cervical smears (28.3%) compared with those with a CD4 count of 500 cells/mm³ or more (6.1%) (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

HIV-positive women were found to be at significantly greater risk of developing abnormal cervical cytology and high-grade lesions compared with HIV-negative women.     

Anal human papillomavirus DNA in women at a colposcopy clinic

Objectives

To describe the type-specific prevalence of anal and cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and the cytology in HIV-negative women without a history of cervical cancer, attending a colposcopy clinic. To examine if an HPV positive anal smear is related to anal pathology and consequently indicative for further examinations (high resolution anoscopy, anal biopsy).

Study design

From 149 consecutive women an anal swab and a cervical swab were taken, using the Cervex-Brush^®. The presence of 18 different HPV genotypes was determined using TaqMan-based real-time quantitative PCR targeting type-specific sequences of viral genes. From the fluid containing the cellular material, a liquid-based cytology sample was prepared of both collections with the robotic BD PrepStain™ Slide Processor. All slides were pre-screened by BD FocalPoint™ system and categorized from quintiles 1 to 5 and afterwards screened using targeted microscopic interpretation of selected suspicious fields using FocalPoint^® guided screening review stations. The 2001 Bethesda System Terminology was used for the anal slides.

Results

Ninety-six anal samples and all 149 cervical samples were adequate. Overall presence of HPV in the anus was 56.3% and in the cervix 53.7%. Overall, cytological abnormalities were found in 10.8% of anal smears and in 32.8% of cervical smears. HPV genotypes were identified in 47 samples on both sites: partial or complete concordance was found in 85.1%. HPV types 6, 16 and 18 were found in 27.9% and in 26.6% of the anal and cervical samples, respectively. The top three HPV types in the anus were 16, 51 and 39; in the cervix 16, 39, 51 and 56 (a shared 3^rd place). HPV type 11 was not found.

Conclusions

The presence of HPV genotypes is clearly multifocal in this study population of women attending a colposcopy clinic, with high concordance of genotypes. The number of anal HPV infections is high. Although cytological abnormalities are rare, the presence of HPV may lead to anal lesions later in life. From this perspective, complementary medical history and clinical examination of the anal region are advised.     

Urine-based human papillomavirus DNA testing as a screening tool for cervical cancer in high-risk women

Objective

To test the hypothesis that self-collected urine could be used to detect high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA with sensitivity and specificity comparable to those of standard cervical testing.

Methods

Women attending a gynecology clinic for evaluation of abnormal cytology were recruited. Fifty-two participants (21–60 years of age) collected urine samples, and clinicians collected cervical brush samples. When appropriate, cervical biopsies were obtained during colposcopy. HPV detection and typing were performed on DNA extracts from each sample, using commercial reagents for L1 consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and type-specific hybridization. HPV 16 viral load was determined by quantitative PCR in HPV 16-positive samples. A diagnostic test analysis was conducted for urine samples.

Results

Fifty paired samples were analyzed, with 76% agreement between samples. The 12 discrepant pairs were all urine negative/cervix positive. The most common HPV types detected were 16, 51, 53, and 62. The urine test correctly identified 100% of the uninfected and 65% of the infected patients.

Conclusion

The results indicate that HPV DNA detection using urine is less sensitive than cervical sampling in a population with abnormal cytology. Further exploration is warranted to determine clinical utility when other options are unavailable.     

Prevalencia de la infección por el virus del papiloma humano en mujeres con citologías anormales del cérvix uterino y factores de riesgo asociados a la infección

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in women with an abnormal pap smear of the uterine cervix and to determine the risk factors associated with HPV infection.

Subjects and methods

Eighty-one women with a cytological result of atypical cells of unknown origin (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LG-SIL) or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HG-SIL) were referred for epidemiological questionnaire, HPV detection performed using the Hybrid Capture II^® test, histological study, and analysis of other sexuallytransmitted diseases.

Results

Cytologic study identified 16 women with ASCUS, 44 with LG-SIL and 21 with HG-SIL. The global prevalence of HPV infection was 67.9% (55 patients) and high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection was detected in 50 patients (61.8%). The percentages of HR-HPV infection in women with ASCUS, L-SIL and H-SIL were 31.2%, 63.6% and 80.9%, respectively. The number of sexual partners over a woman’s lifetime was significantly associated with HPV infection (χ² for trend: 4.187; p = 0.0407).

Conclusions

Women with ASCUS detected by cytology are those who could most benefit from HR-HPV detection techniques, because of the lower prevalence of the infection. The main risk factor associated with HPV infection was the number of sexual partners over a woman’s lifetime.