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Comparative Study
. 2005 Oct;84(10):996-1000.
doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00702.x.

A comparison of the human papillomavirus test and Papanicolaou smear as a second screening method for women with minor cytological abnormalities

Sonia Andersson  1 , Lena Dillner, Kristina Elfgren, Miriam Mints, Maria Persson, Eva Rylander
Affiliations
Free article
Comparative Study

A comparison of the human papillomavirus test and Papanicolaou smear as a second screening method for women with minor cytological abnormalities

Sonia Andersson et al. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005 Oct.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Of the estimated one million Papanicolaou (pap) smears performed annually in Sweden, about 4% show any degree of abnormality. Approximately, 1% of these cases contain moderate or severe atypia (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions) and the rest contain low-grade atypia. Recommendations for the management of minor abnormalities vary in various parts of Sweden. Generally, a second Pap smear is obtained 4-6 months after the first one showing low-grade atypia. The aim of this study is to compare the sensitivity of human papilloma virus (HPV)-DNA testing for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2-3 with that of a second Pap smear in women, who had low-grade atypia in their first Pap smear.

Methods: Women with low-grade atypia in the Stockholm area, detected at a population-based cytology screening, were enrolled. A repeat Pap smear, HPV test, and colposcopically directed biopsies were obtained. For the detection of HPV, Hybrid Capture II (HC II) was used.

Results: The HPV-DNA test was positive in 66% of the 177 participating women. The sensitivity of the second Pap smear and HPV-DNA test to detect CIN 2-3 was 61 (95% CI = 45-74) and 82% (95% CI = 67-91), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of HPV testing were 27 (95% CI = 18-35) and 89% (95% CI = 80-97), respectively.

Conclusions: In Sweden, a second Pap smear is often obtained for the follow-up of women with low-grade atypia. The results of our study show that compared to the second Pap smear, HPV testing with HC II is a more sensitive method for detecting high-grade lesions.

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