Uterine cervical neoplasms Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(6):237-243
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320140005010
To assess the determinants of late stage in women with cervical cancer in Brazil.
A cross-sectional study of secondary basis. Women with invasive cervical cancer enrolled in the Cancer Hospital Registry between January 2000 and December 2009 were included. Late clinical stage (≥IIB) was the outcome considered. The following variables were studied: age at diagnosis, race or ethnicity, years of education, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, place of residence, year of diagnosis, initial treatment received, and status after the first treatment. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and a logistic regression model were used. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
37,638 cases were included, with a mean age of 52.4±14.1 years. Late clinical stages were observed in 70.6% of cases and were associated with the presence of squamous cell carcinoma (OR=1.8; 95%CI 1.7-2.0), age ≥50 years (OR=1.5; 95%CI 1.4-1.6), living with a partner (OR=1.3; 95%CI 1.2-1.4), black skin color (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.4), and low educational level (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.3).
In Brazil, the diagnosis of cervical cancer is a delayed event. Although the main factor associated with late stage of cervical cancer identified in this study is a biological factors (histological type) and, consequently, not eligible for intervention, it was confirmed that socioeconomic disparities in the country are associated with late stage disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(6):237-243
DOI 10.1590/S0100-720320140005010
To assess the determinants of late stage in women with cervical cancer in Brazil.
A cross-sectional study of secondary basis. Women with invasive cervical cancer enrolled in the Cancer Hospital Registry between January 2000 and December 2009 were included. Late clinical stage (≥IIB) was the outcome considered. The following variables were studied: age at diagnosis, race or ethnicity, years of education, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking status, place of residence, year of diagnosis, initial treatment received, and status after the first treatment. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) and a logistic regression model were used. P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
37,638 cases were included, with a mean age of 52.4±14.1 years. Late clinical stages were observed in 70.6% of cases and were associated with the presence of squamous cell carcinoma (OR=1.8; 95%CI 1.7-2.0), age ≥50 years (OR=1.5; 95%CI 1.4-1.6), living with a partner (OR=1.3; 95%CI 1.2-1.4), black skin color (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.4), and low educational level (OR=1.2; 95%CI 1.1-1.3).
In Brazil, the diagnosis of cervical cancer is a delayed event. Although the main factor associated with late stage of cervical cancer identified in this study is a biological factors (histological type) and, consequently, not eligible for intervention, it was confirmed that socioeconomic disparities in the country are associated with late stage disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(5):205-210
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400050004
To investigate protein expression and mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in patients with stage IB cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and the association with clinical-pathologic features, tumor p53 expression, cell proliferation and angiogenesis.
Women with stage IB CSCC (n=20 - Study Group) and uterine myoma (n=20 - Control Group), aged 49.1±1.7 years (mean±standard deviation, range 27-78 years), were prospectively evaluated. Patients with cervical cancer were submitted to Piver-Rutledge class III radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and patients in the Control Group underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Tissue samples from the procedures were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation. Protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Staining for PTEN, p53, Ki-67 and CD31 was evaluated. The intensity of PTEN immunostaining was estimated by computer-assisted image analysis, based on previously reported protocols. Data were analyzed using the Student's t-test to evaluate significant differences between the groups. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.
The PTEN expression intensity was lower in the CSCC group than in the Control (benign cervix) samples (150.5±5.2 versus 204.2±2.6; p<0.001). Our study did not identify any mutations after sequencing all nine PTEN exons. PTEN expression was not associated with tumor expression of p53 (p=0.9), CD31 (p=0.8) or Ki-67 (p=0.3) or clinical-pathologic features in patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix.
Our findings demonstrate that the PTEN protein expression is significantly diminished in CSCC.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(5):205-210
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400050004
To investigate protein expression and mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in patients with stage IB cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and the association with clinical-pathologic features, tumor p53 expression, cell proliferation and angiogenesis.
Women with stage IB CSCC (n=20 - Study Group) and uterine myoma (n=20 - Control Group), aged 49.1±1.7 years (mean±standard deviation, range 27-78 years), were prospectively evaluated. Patients with cervical cancer were submitted to Piver-Rutledge class III radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy and patients in the Control Group underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Tissue samples from the procedures were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological evaluation. Protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Staining for PTEN, p53, Ki-67 and CD31 was evaluated. The intensity of PTEN immunostaining was estimated by computer-assisted image analysis, based on previously reported protocols. Data were analyzed using the Student's t-test to evaluate significant differences between the groups. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.
The PTEN expression intensity was lower in the CSCC group than in the Control (benign cervix) samples (150.5±5.2 versus 204.2±2.6; p<0.001). Our study did not identify any mutations after sequencing all nine PTEN exons. PTEN expression was not associated with tumor expression of p53 (p=0.9), CD31 (p=0.8) or Ki-67 (p=0.3) or clinical-pathologic features in patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix.
Our findings demonstrate that the PTEN protein expression is significantly diminished in CSCC.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(5):192-197
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400050002
To analyze the prevalence of cervical cytopathological results for the screening of cervical cancer with regard to women's age and time since the last examination in Maceió and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, among those assisted by the Brazilian Unified Health System.
Cervical cytopathological results available in the Information System of Cervical Cancer Screening for the year 2011 were analyzed, corresponding to 206,550 for Rio de Janeiro and 45,243 for Maceió.
In Rio de Janeiro, examination at one and two year intervals predominated, while in Maceió examination at one and three year intervals had a higher predominance. Women who underwent cervical smear screening in Maceió were older than those in Rio de Janeiro. The prevalence of invasive squamous cell carcinoma was similar for the two cities, but all the other results presented a higher prevalence in Rio de Janeiro: ASCUS (PR=5.32; 95%CI 4.66-6.07); ASCH (PR=4.27; 95%CI 3.15-5.78); atypical glandular cells (PR=10.02; 95%CI 5.66-17.76); low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (PR=6.10; 95%CI 5.27-7.07); high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (PR=8.90; 95%CI 6.50-12.18) and adenocarcinoma (PR=3.00; 95%CI 1.21-7.44). The rate of unsatisfactory cervical samples was two times higher in Maceió and that of rejected samples for analysis was five times higher in Maceió when compared to Rio de Janeiro.
The prevalence rates of altered cervical cytopathological results was significantly higher in Rio de Janeiro than in Maceió. There is no objective information that may justify this difference. One hypothesis is that there may be a difference in the diagnostic performance of the cervical cancer screening, which could be related to the quality of the Pap smear. Thus, these findings suggest that it would be necessary to perform this evaluation at national level, with emphasis on the performance of cervical cancer screening in order to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer control.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(5):192-197
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400050002
To analyze the prevalence of cervical cytopathological results for the screening of cervical cancer with regard to women's age and time since the last examination in Maceió and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, among those assisted by the Brazilian Unified Health System.
Cervical cytopathological results available in the Information System of Cervical Cancer Screening for the year 2011 were analyzed, corresponding to 206,550 for Rio de Janeiro and 45,243 for Maceió.
In Rio de Janeiro, examination at one and two year intervals predominated, while in Maceió examination at one and three year intervals had a higher predominance. Women who underwent cervical smear screening in Maceió were older than those in Rio de Janeiro. The prevalence of invasive squamous cell carcinoma was similar for the two cities, but all the other results presented a higher prevalence in Rio de Janeiro: ASCUS (PR=5.32; 95%CI 4.66-6.07); ASCH (PR=4.27; 95%CI 3.15-5.78); atypical glandular cells (PR=10.02; 95%CI 5.66-17.76); low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (PR=6.10; 95%CI 5.27-7.07); high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (PR=8.90; 95%CI 6.50-12.18) and adenocarcinoma (PR=3.00; 95%CI 1.21-7.44). The rate of unsatisfactory cervical samples was two times higher in Maceió and that of rejected samples for analysis was five times higher in Maceió when compared to Rio de Janeiro.
The prevalence rates of altered cervical cytopathological results was significantly higher in Rio de Janeiro than in Maceió. There is no objective information that may justify this difference. One hypothesis is that there may be a difference in the diagnostic performance of the cervical cancer screening, which could be related to the quality of the Pap smear. Thus, these findings suggest that it would be necessary to perform this evaluation at national level, with emphasis on the performance of cervical cancer screening in order to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer control.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(4):182-187
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400040004
To evaluate the impact of training professionals involved in the screening for cervical cancer in Basic Health Units in the city of Goiânia (GO).
This was and intervention study in which the following data contained in the cervical cytopathology test form were examined: the woman's personal data, anamnesis, clinical examination and identification of the professional responsible for the collection. Professional training was evaluated by comparing the forms referring to the period from January 2007 to April 2009, before training, with the forms referring to the period from July 2010 to December 2012, after training. The Pearson χ2 test was used to analyze the results of training, with the 5% level of significance.
After training, there was a significantly increased frequency of recording patient schooling (from 67.2 to 92.6%, p<0.001), telephone number (from 78.9 to 98.7%, p<0.001), cervical inspection (from 86.8 to 96.6%, p<0.001), and signs suggestive of sexually transmitted diseases (from 80.8 to 93.5%, p<0.001). There was a reduction in the frequency of performing the exam within an interval of less than one year (p<0.001) and of one year (p<0.001). There was a reduction in the frequency of Pap smear testing in women under 25 years of age, from 22.0 to 17.9% (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in the proportion of satisfactory samples from 70.4 to 80.2% (p<0.001). A reduction of confounding factors was observed. The desiccation frequency was 2.9% before training and 2.0% after training (p<0.001). There was an increase in the frequency of representation of endocervical cells from 79.5 to 88.5% (p<0.001).
After training, there was a significant improvement in completing the application form, the performance of such tests regarding frequency and the age range recommended by the Ministry of Health, and the adequacy of the sample.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(4):182-187
DOI 10.1590/S0100-7203201400040004
To evaluate the impact of training professionals involved in the screening for cervical cancer in Basic Health Units in the city of Goiânia (GO).
This was and intervention study in which the following data contained in the cervical cytopathology test form were examined: the woman's personal data, anamnesis, clinical examination and identification of the professional responsible for the collection. Professional training was evaluated by comparing the forms referring to the period from January 2007 to April 2009, before training, with the forms referring to the period from July 2010 to December 2012, after training. The Pearson χ2 test was used to analyze the results of training, with the 5% level of significance.
After training, there was a significantly increased frequency of recording patient schooling (from 67.2 to 92.6%, p<0.001), telephone number (from 78.9 to 98.7%, p<0.001), cervical inspection (from 86.8 to 96.6%, p<0.001), and signs suggestive of sexually transmitted diseases (from 80.8 to 93.5%, p<0.001). There was a reduction in the frequency of performing the exam within an interval of less than one year (p<0.001) and of one year (p<0.001). There was a reduction in the frequency of Pap smear testing in women under 25 years of age, from 22.0 to 17.9% (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in the proportion of satisfactory samples from 70.4 to 80.2% (p<0.001). A reduction of confounding factors was observed. The desiccation frequency was 2.9% before training and 2.0% after training (p<0.001). There was an increase in the frequency of representation of endocervical cells from 79.5 to 88.5% (p<0.001).
After training, there was a significant improvement in completing the application form, the performance of such tests regarding frequency and the age range recommended by the Ministry of Health, and the adequacy of the sample.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2013;35(7):323-330
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032013000700007
PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence and identify the factors associated with delayed pap smear test of the cervix (carried out more than three years ago) among mothers with sons under two years of age, who attended the prenatal care. METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based household survey. Women with sons under two years old, living in the northern area of the city of Juiz de Fora (MG), Brazil, were interviewed. Stratification and clustering were used in a complex sampling procedure. We applied a survey questionnaire to capture women's demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of women and information about prenatal and practices for preventing cancer of the cervix. For statistical analysis of the possible bivariate association of factors, we used χ² test and a logistic regression model with the explanatory variables that had a significance less than or equal to 0.05 in the bivariate analysis. RESULTS: We found a delayed test prevalence of 26.6% (95%CI 21.3 - 32.6), including women who were never submitted to the exam. The variables associated with the non-adherence to the examination within the stipulated time were: to be married (OR 0.5; 95%CI 0.2 - 0.9), and divorced/widowed (OR 0.1; 95%CI 0.02 - 0,8), having performed gynecological examination in prenatal care (OR 0.3; 95%CI 0.1 - 0.6) and number of prenatal visits (OR 0.09; 95%CI 0.03 - 0.25 for more than 11 visits), being all protection factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of adherence to Pap smear guidelines is slightly lower than the percentage recommended by the World Health Organization. Apart from that, the fact that the woman was submitted to the prenatal care did not guarantee the adherence to Pap smear frequency guidelines.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2013;35(7):323-330
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032013000700007
PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence and identify the factors associated with delayed pap smear test of the cervix (carried out more than three years ago) among mothers with sons under two years of age, who attended the prenatal care. METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based household survey. Women with sons under two years old, living in the northern area of the city of Juiz de Fora (MG), Brazil, were interviewed. Stratification and clustering were used in a complex sampling procedure. We applied a survey questionnaire to capture women's demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of women and information about prenatal and practices for preventing cancer of the cervix. For statistical analysis of the possible bivariate association of factors, we used χ² test and a logistic regression model with the explanatory variables that had a significance less than or equal to 0.05 in the bivariate analysis. RESULTS: We found a delayed test prevalence of 26.6% (95%CI 21.3 - 32.6), including women who were never submitted to the exam. The variables associated with the non-adherence to the examination within the stipulated time were: to be married (OR 0.5; 95%CI 0.2 - 0.9), and divorced/widowed (OR 0.1; 95%CI 0.02 - 0,8), having performed gynecological examination in prenatal care (OR 0.3; 95%CI 0.1 - 0.6) and number of prenatal visits (OR 0.09; 95%CI 0.03 - 0.25 for more than 11 visits), being all protection factors. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of adherence to Pap smear guidelines is slightly lower than the percentage recommended by the World Health Organization. Apart from that, the fact that the woman was submitted to the prenatal care did not guarantee the adherence to Pap smear frequency guidelines.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(11):518-523
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012001100007
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with failure of voluntary screening for cervical cancer during the gestational period in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil. METHODS: Previously trained interviewers applied a standardized questionnaire in the maternity to all mothers from this municipality who had delivered from January 1st to December 31st 2010 to obtain information about the demographic characteristics of the pregnant women, family socioeconomic status, and prenatal care received. The χ² test was used to compare proportions and Poisson regression with robust adjustment of variance was used in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 2,288 respondents, 33% were not submitted to the Pap smear during pregnancy. Two thirds of these women stated that they were not aware of the need to perform it, 18% were not screened out of fear or shame, and the rest for other reasons. After adjustment, the highest prevalence ratios (PR) for noncompliance with the Pap smear occurred among young women (PR=1.5; 95%CI 1.25 - 1.80), with lower educational level (PR=1.5; 95%CI 1.12 - 2.12), who were living without a partner (PR=1.4; 95%CI 1.24 - 1.62), smokers (PR=1.2; 95%CI 1.07 - 1.39), who did not plan the current pregnancy (PR=1.3; 95%CI 1,21 - 1.61), who had attended less than six medical visits during the prenatal period (PR=1.4; 95%CI 1.32 - 1.69) and among users of oral contraceptives (PR=1.2; 95%CI 1.04 - 1.38). CONCLUSIONS: The higher the risk for uterine cervical cancer, the less likely a pregnant woman is to undergo a Pap smear. This definitely contributed to the increased morbidity and mortality from this disease in this setting.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(11):518-523
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012001100007
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with failure of voluntary screening for cervical cancer during the gestational period in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil. METHODS: Previously trained interviewers applied a standardized questionnaire in the maternity to all mothers from this municipality who had delivered from January 1st to December 31st 2010 to obtain information about the demographic characteristics of the pregnant women, family socioeconomic status, and prenatal care received. The χ² test was used to compare proportions and Poisson regression with robust adjustment of variance was used in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 2,288 respondents, 33% were not submitted to the Pap smear during pregnancy. Two thirds of these women stated that they were not aware of the need to perform it, 18% were not screened out of fear or shame, and the rest for other reasons. After adjustment, the highest prevalence ratios (PR) for noncompliance with the Pap smear occurred among young women (PR=1.5; 95%CI 1.25 - 1.80), with lower educational level (PR=1.5; 95%CI 1.12 - 2.12), who were living without a partner (PR=1.4; 95%CI 1.24 - 1.62), smokers (PR=1.2; 95%CI 1.07 - 1.39), who did not plan the current pregnancy (PR=1.3; 95%CI 1,21 - 1.61), who had attended less than six medical visits during the prenatal period (PR=1.4; 95%CI 1.32 - 1.69) and among users of oral contraceptives (PR=1.2; 95%CI 1.04 - 1.38). CONCLUSIONS: The higher the risk for uterine cervical cancer, the less likely a pregnant woman is to undergo a Pap smear. This definitely contributed to the increased morbidity and mortality from this disease in this setting.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(9):432-437
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000900008
PURPOSE: To verify the coverage, by Pap testing, of older women and the associated factors. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted by home interviews. The inclusion criteria were women aged 60 and over, living on the north side of the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, self-sufficient to answer the questionnaire or having someone to answer on their behalf. The interview consisted of sociodemographic questions, regarding the general health of the older women, and preventive practices in women's health. The selection was made by random sampling, stratified and clustered in multiple stages. To analyze associated factors, a theoretical model was formulated with three hierarchical blocks of variables, adjusted to each other in each block. The variables that had a level of significance of 0.2 or less were included in the Poisson regression model and adjusted to their next highest level (p<0.1). RESULTS: Pap testing occurred in 84.1% of cases (95%CI 79.0-88.4). Based on multivariate regression analysis, three variables remained significantly associated with access to Pap testing: the marital status "without partner" (older women who were single, widowed, separated or divorced), self-sufficiency to perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) and adherence to mammography. In the interblock analysis these variables remained significantly associated with the outcome variable, and self-sufficiency for IADLs had the highest association. CONCLUSIONS: Among the older women comprising the study sample, was observed variation in the use of Pap testing. An adjustment of public health policies towards the formulation of policies giving priority to universal preventive care may be an alternative to solve the disparities observed.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(9):432-437
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000900008
PURPOSE: To verify the coverage, by Pap testing, of older women and the associated factors. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted by home interviews. The inclusion criteria were women aged 60 and over, living on the north side of the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, self-sufficient to answer the questionnaire or having someone to answer on their behalf. The interview consisted of sociodemographic questions, regarding the general health of the older women, and preventive practices in women's health. The selection was made by random sampling, stratified and clustered in multiple stages. To analyze associated factors, a theoretical model was formulated with three hierarchical blocks of variables, adjusted to each other in each block. The variables that had a level of significance of 0.2 or less were included in the Poisson regression model and adjusted to their next highest level (p<0.1). RESULTS: Pap testing occurred in 84.1% of cases (95%CI 79.0-88.4). Based on multivariate regression analysis, three variables remained significantly associated with access to Pap testing: the marital status "without partner" (older women who were single, widowed, separated or divorced), self-sufficiency to perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) and adherence to mammography. In the interblock analysis these variables remained significantly associated with the outcome variable, and self-sufficiency for IADLs had the highest association. CONCLUSIONS: Among the older women comprising the study sample, was observed variation in the use of Pap testing. An adjustment of public health policies towards the formulation of policies giving priority to universal preventive care may be an alternative to solve the disparities observed.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(8):351-356
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000800002
PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic agreement between the cytopathology reports issued by accredited laboratories and those obtained by quality control. METHODS: We calculated the overall agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficients of a convenience sample of smears selected monthly by the Information System of Cervical Cancer (SISCOLO) for External Quality Control of the 15 laboratories that performed cytopathological PAP tests for the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) between 2002 and 2011 in Mato Grosso do Sul, a State of the Midwest Region of the country. A comparison of the reliability values (coefficient of concordance and Kappa coefficient) between the initial and final years was computed by the absolute change (delta) and relative percent difference (RPD). RESULTS: There were 15.989 smears sent for rereading, 48.1% of which had a report of normal/benign changes, followed by atypical/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (36.3%), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/carcinoma/adenocarcinoma (4.2%), and unsatisfactory (11.4%). The overall correlation coefficient ranged between 0.2 and 1.0, and the median value increased from 0.7 in 2002 to 1 in 2011 (RPD=+36.6%). During the same period, the median values of the Kappa coefficient increased from 0.5 to 0.9 (RPD=+80.8%). CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the feasibility of the External Quality Control of cytopathology at the state level and its implementation results in improvement in the diagnoses performed in the SUS network.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2012;34(8):351-356
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032012000800002
PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic agreement between the cytopathology reports issued by accredited laboratories and those obtained by quality control. METHODS: We calculated the overall agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficients of a convenience sample of smears selected monthly by the Information System of Cervical Cancer (SISCOLO) for External Quality Control of the 15 laboratories that performed cytopathological PAP tests for the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS) between 2002 and 2011 in Mato Grosso do Sul, a State of the Midwest Region of the country. A comparison of the reliability values (coefficient of concordance and Kappa coefficient) between the initial and final years was computed by the absolute change (delta) and relative percent difference (RPD). RESULTS: There were 15.989 smears sent for rereading, 48.1% of which had a report of normal/benign changes, followed by atypical/low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (36.3%), high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/carcinoma/adenocarcinoma (4.2%), and unsatisfactory (11.4%). The overall correlation coefficient ranged between 0.2 and 1.0, and the median value increased from 0.7 in 2002 to 1 in 2011 (RPD=+36.6%). During the same period, the median values of the Kappa coefficient increased from 0.5 to 0.9 (RPD=+80.8%). CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the feasibility of the External Quality Control of cytopathology at the state level and its implementation results in improvement in the diagnoses performed in the SUS network.
