Papanicolaou test Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

  • Original Article

    Underestimated Cervical Cancer among Women over 65 Years Old: Is It Time to Revise the Screening Target Age Group?

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2023;45(12):790-795

    Summary

    Original Article

    Underestimated Cervical Cancer among Women over 65 Years Old: Is It Time to Revise the Screening Target Age Group?

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2023;45(12):790-795

    DOI 10.1055/s-0043-1772477

    Views25

    Abstract

    Objective

    To compare cytological and histological results from women > 64 years old who followed the Brazilian national cervical cancer screening guidelines with those who did not.

    Methods

    The present observational retrospective study analyzed 207 abnormal cervical smear results from women > 64 years old in a mid-sized city in Brazil over 14 years. All results were reported according to the Bethesda System. The women were divided into those who followed the screening guidelines and those who did not.

    Results

    Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology results were found in 128 (62.2%) cases. Of these, 112 (87.5%) had repeated cytology with positive results. The other 79 (38.1%) with abnormal results should have been referred to colposcopy and biopsy. Out of 41 (51.9%) biopsied women, 23 (29.1%) had a confirmed diagnosis of neoplasia or precursor lesion. In contrast, among the 78 (37.7%) biopsied patients, 40 (51.3%) followed the guideline recommendations, with 9 (22.5%) positive biopsies. Of the 38 (48.7%) women who did not follow the guidelines, there were 24 (63.1%) positive results. Women who did not follow the guidelines demonstrated higher chances of cancer and precursor lesions (odds ratio [OR]: 5.904; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.188–15.932; p = 0.0002).

    Conclusion

    Women > 64 years old who did not follow the national screening protocol showed significant differences in the frequency of abnormal results and severity of diagnosis compared with those who followed the protocol.

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  • Original Article

    Analysis of the Excess of Papanicolaou Tests in Brazil from 2006 to 2015

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2022;44(1):40-46

    Summary

    Original Article

    Analysis of the Excess of Papanicolaou Tests in Brazil from 2006 to 2015

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2022;44(1):40-46

    DOI 10.1055/s-0041-1741407

    Views2

    Abstract

    Objective

    To analyze the quantity of cervical smears, also designated Papanicolaou tests, between 2006 and 2015 in all the Federal units of Brazil, as well as to verify the quantity of exams collected outside the recommended age range and the economic impact of such excess.

    Methods

    The data was collected from the Ministry of Health’s database called Sistema de Informação do Câncer do Colo de Útero (SISCOLO), which contains all the test results collected nationwide by the Unified Health System (SUS, in the Portuguese acronym). From that, the number of exams and the age range of thewomen who underwent them were analyzed; besides, these numbers were stratified according to the state of where the exam was performed. The quantity of exams collected outside the recommended age range was verified, and, so, the economic impact generated was noted.

    Results

    Between 2006and2015, 87,425,549Papanicolaoutestswere collected in Brazil. Of these, 20,215,052 testswere collected outside the age range recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health; this number corresponded to 23.12% of all exams. From such data, considering that each Pap smear collected by SUS generates a cost of BRL 7.30 to the government, according to the information in the Tabela SUS dated September 2018, there was a total charge of BRL 147,569,880 for tests collected outside the protocol.

    Conclusion

    In Brazil, according to the Ministry of Health’s protocol about the recommended practices on collecting Pap smears, whose newest edition dates of 2016, it is recommended that Pap smears are collected inwomen from a specific age range, inwhom the potential diagnosing advantages overcome the onus of overdiagnosis or of a lesion with great regression potential. However, such protocols have not been correctly followed, promoting more than 20 million tests in excess, and an exorbitant cost for the Brazilian public health system. It is relevant to take measures to correctly use the official protocol, reducing the patients risks, as well as the economic impact for SUS.

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    Analysis of the Excess of Papanicolaou Tests in Brazil from 2006 to 2015
  • Original Article

    High-risk Human Papillomavirus Testing for Triage of Women with Previous Cytological Abnormalities from the Vale do Ribeira Region

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2020;42(6):340-348

    Summary

    Original Article

    High-risk Human Papillomavirus Testing for Triage of Women with Previous Cytological Abnormalities from the Vale do Ribeira Region

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2020;42(6):340-348

    DOI 10.1055/s-0040-1712992

    Views1

    Abstract

    Objective

    To evaluate the performance of the hybrid capture 2 (HC2) high-risk papillomavirus (hrHPV) assay and cytological test in women with previous abnormalities, to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (≥ CIN 2).

    Methods

    A cytological test and HC2 (Qiagen, Gaithersburg, Maryland, EUA) for hrHPV were conducted in 359 liquid-based (Sure Path, Becton Dickinson, TriPath Imaging, Burlington, NC, USA) samples collected from women from the Vale do Ribeira Region, during July 2013 and September 2015 with previous cytology classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASC-H), and atypical glandular cells (AGC). The histopathological examination was conducted in 179 women. The performance evaluations were calculated using the “exact” Clopper-Pearson 95% confidence interval (CI) test by MEDCALC (Medcalc Software Ltd, Ostend, Belgium).

    Results

    The ≥ CIN 2 frequency was 11.7% (21/179). The HC2 for hrHPV and repeat cytology to detect ≥ CIN 2 obtained, respectively, a sensitivity of 90.5% (95% CI = 69.6-98.8) and 90.5%, (95%CI = 69.6-98.8), a specificity of 65.8% (95% CI = 57.9-73.2) and 43.7% (95%CI = 35.8-51.8), a positive predictive value of 26.0% (95% CI = 21.4-31.3) and 17.6%, (95%CI = 14.9-20.6), and a negative predictive value of 98.1% (95%CI = 93.3-99.5) and 97.2% (95% CI = 90.1-99.2).

    Conclusion

    Hybrid capture 2 for hrHPV improves the performance of the detection of ≥ CIN 2, without compromising sensitivity, and provides a greater safety margin to return to the triennial screening of women undergoing follow-up due to previous abnormalities, without underlying ≥ CIN 2.

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    High-risk Human Papillomavirus Testing for Triage of Women with Previous Cytological Abnormalities from the Vale do Ribeira Region
  • Original Article

    Performance of Conventional Cytology and Colposcopy for the Diagnosis of Cervical Squamous and Glandular Neoplasias

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40(7):410-416

    Summary

    Original Article

    Performance of Conventional Cytology and Colposcopy for the Diagnosis of Cervical Squamous and Glandular Neoplasias

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40(7):410-416

    DOI 10.1055/s-0038-1666995

    Views4

    Abstract

    Objective

    To estimate the cytological and colposcopic performances for the diagnosis of cervical neoplasias.

    Methods

    Cross-sectional retrospective study with data from patients’ charts. The participants underwent colposcopy, guided biopsies, and excision when needed. The cytological and colposcopic categorization followed the Bethesda System and the international colposcopic terminologies. The cytology and colposcopy performances were evaluated by sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) analyses with 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

    Results

    From 1,571 participants, a total of 1,154 (73.4%) were diagnosed with cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+), 114 (7.2%) with adenocarcinoma in situ or worse (AIS+), 615 (39.2%) presented atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (ASC-H+) cytology, and 934 (59.4%) presented major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities. The SE, SP, PPV, and NPV of ASC-H+ for diagnoses of CIN 2+ and AIS+ were, respectively: 44% (95% CI: 41-47) and 72% (95% CI: 67-76), 79% (95% CI: 77-81) and 79% (95% CI: 75-83), 88% (95% CI: 87-90) and 55% (95% CI: 50-60), and 28% (95% CI: 26-31) and 88% (95% CI: 85-91). The SE, SP, PPV, and NPV of major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities for diagnoses of CIN 2+ and AIS+were, respectively: 62% (95% CI: 60-65) and 86% (95% CI: 83-89), 59% (95% CI: 57-62) and 59% (95% CI: 55-64), 85% (95% CI: 83-87) and 44% (95% CI: 40-49), and 29% (95% CI: 27-32) and 92% (95% CI: 89-94).

    Conclusion

    The SE analyses results of ASC-H+ and major or suspicious for invasion colposcopic abnormalities were higher for diagnoses of glandular neoplasias. These results confirm the role of cytology in identifying women at risk who will have their final diagnoses settled by colposcopy and histology.

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    Performance of Conventional Cytology and Colposcopy for the Diagnosis of Cervical Squamous and Glandular Neoplasias
  • Original Article

    Management of Atypical Squamous Cell Cases: A Prospective Study of Women seen at a Private Health Service in Northeastern Brazil

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40(3):121-126

    Summary

    Original Article

    Management of Atypical Squamous Cell Cases: A Prospective Study of Women seen at a Private Health Service in Northeastern Brazil

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2018;40(3):121-126

    DOI 10.1055/s-0038-1639466

    Views3

    Abstract

    Objective

    To assess the management chosen by gynecologists after atypical squamous cells (ASCs) cytology results, and to evaluate the outcomes of these cases in Brazilian women.

    Methods

    A prospective observational study evaluated the initial management offered by the gynecologist in the case of 2,458 ASCs cytology results collected between January of 2010 and July of 2016. The outcomes of the cytology, high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) test and histology were compared in two subgroups: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and atypical squamous cells-cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H).

    Results

    In many cases of ASC-US (36.97%) and ASC-H (40.50%), no clinical actions were taken. Cytology was the most frequent follow-up chosen, including for cases of ASC-H, which goes against the conduct recommended in the national guideline. In women over 30 years of age, the period of time elapsed between an ASC-US result and a new cytology was in 13.03 months, in disagreement with the national guideline recommendations (p< 0.0001). Negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy (NILM) cytologic (p = 0.0026) and histologic (p = 0.0017) results in the follow-up were associated with prior ASC-US, while negative results for ASC-H were cytologically (p< 0.0001) and histologically associated with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (p< 0.0001). Two invasive cervical carcinomas (ICCs) were found in the follow-up for ASC-H, and there was a statistically significant association (p = 0.0341). A positive HR-HPV test was associated with ASC-H (p = 0.0075).

    Conclusion

    The data suggest that even for a population of Brazilian women assisted at private clinics, the national guidelines recommendations for ASCs results are not followed.

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  • Original Article

    Regional and Socioeconomic Differences in the Coverage of the Papanicolau Test in Brazil: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey 2013

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2017;39(9):480-487

    Summary

    Original Article

    Regional and Socioeconomic Differences in the Coverage of the Papanicolau Test in Brazil: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey 2013

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2017;39(9):480-487

    DOI 10.1055/s-0037-1604481

    Views0

    Abstract

    Purpose

    To evaluate the coverage of the Papanicolaou test in Brazil and the associated factors.

    Methods

    Cross-sectional study based on data from the Brazilian Health Survey 2013 comprising the proportion of 25- to 64-year-old women who had undergone a Papanicolaou test within the previous 3 years, categorized by sociodemographic variables and access to healthcare services.

    Results

    The screening coverage in Brazil was of 79.4% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 78.4-80.3), showing significant differences between the different states of the country, with the highest rate in the state of Roraima (86.5; 95%CI: 83.5-89.4), and the lowestone in the state ofMaranhão (67.7; 95%CI: 61.3-74.0).Undergoing the test was significantlymore frequent amongmarriedwomen (83.6%; 95%CI: 82.4-84.8), those with higher educational levels (88.7%; 95%CI: 87.0-90.5), of white ethnicity (82.6%; 95%CI: 81.3-83.9) and who reside in urban areas (80.1%; 95%CI: 79.1-81.2). Those who had undergone the test more than three years prior to the survey and the ones who had never undergone it were associated with a lower level of education, being of black or brown ethnicity, single or divorced, and rural dwellers.

    Conclusions

    The coverage of cervical cancer screening in Brazil is below the recommended rate and presents regional and sociodemographic disparities.

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    Regional and Socioeconomic Differences in the Coverage of the Papanicolau Test in Brazil: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey 2013
  • Original Article

    Waiting time for the first colposcopic examination in women with abnormal Papanicolaou test

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2015;37(8):381-387

    Summary

    Original Article

    Waiting time for the first colposcopic examination in women with abnormal Papanicolaou test

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2015;37(8):381-387

    DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005393

    Views1

    PURPOSE:

    To evaluate the waiting times before obtaining the first colposcopic examination for women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears.

    METHODS:

    Retrospective cohort study conducted on patients who required a colposcopic examination to clarify an abnormal pap test, between 2002 January and 2008 August, in a metropolitan region of Brazil. The waiting times were defined as: Total Waiting Time (interval between the date of the pap test result and the date of the first colposcopic examination); Partial A Waiting Time (interval between the date of the pap test result and the date of referral); Partial B Waiting Time (interval between the date of referral and the date of the first colposcopic examination). Means, medians, relative and absolute frequencies were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson's chi-square test were used to determine statistical significance.

    RESULTS:

    A total of 1,544 women with mean of age of 34 years (SD=12.6 years) were analyzed. Most of them had access to colposcopic examination within 30 days (65.8%) or 60 days (92.8%) from referral. Mean Total Waiting Time, Partial A Waiting Time, and Partial B Waiting Time were 94.5 days (SD=96.8 days), 67.8 days (SD=95.3 days) and 29.2 days (SD=35.1 days), respectively.

    CONCLUSION:

    A large part of the women studied had access to colposcopic examination within 60 days after referral, but Total waiting time was long. Measures to reduce the waiting time for obtaining the first colposcopic examination can help to improve the quality of care in the context of cervical cancer control in the region, and ought to be addressed at the phase between the date of the pap test results and the date of referral to the teaching hospital.

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  • Original Article

    Frequency of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) for pregnant and non-pregnant women

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2015;37(5):229-232

    Summary

    Original Article

    Frequency of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) for pregnant and non-pregnant women

    Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2015;37(5):229-232

    DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005295

    Views3

    PURPOSE:

    To compare the frequency of an ASCUS Pap Smear result in pregnant and
    non-pregnant women, stratified by age group.

    METHODS:

    We analyzed the results of 1,336,180 cytopathologyc exams of Pap smears performed
    between 2000 and 2009 (ten years) with the purpose of screening for cervical
    carcinoma. Comparisons were made between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and the
    sample was stratified into three age groups (20-24, 25-29 and 30-34 years). The
    χ2 test was used and the magnitude of association was determined by
    the by Odds Ratio (OR) with the 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

    RESULTS:

    A Total of 447,489 samples were excluded on the basis of the criteria adopted,
    for a total final sample of 37,137 pregnant women and 851,554 non-pregnant women.
    An ASCUS result was detected in 1.2% of cases, with a significant difference
    between pregnant and non-pregnant women in the age groups of 20-24 years (OR=0.85;
    95%CI 0.75-0.97) and 25-29 years (OR=0.78; 95%CI 0.63-0.96). There was no
    difference in the group between 30-34 years (OR=0.76; 95%CI 0.57-1.03).

    CONCLUSIONS:

    This study suggested that non-pregnant women have a higher frequency of ASCUS,
    most evident in the age group of 20 to 29 years. The collection of cervical cancer
    screening should not be a compulsory part of the prenatal routine.

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