Colposcopic and cytologic findings among adolescents referred to two urban teaching hospitals

Risk of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia among Young Women with Abnormal Screening Cytology

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the risk of high-grade cervical disease among teenage women with abnormal cytology.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of females undergoing colposcopy for abnormal screening cytology in an urban dysplasia clinic.

RESULTS

Among 211 eligible teens, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were found in 17 (8%) on referral cytology and 4 (2%) on repeat cytology. High-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was found in colposcopic biopsy specimens 30 (15%) of young women; no patient had cancer. Age, referral Pap, ethnicity, parity, HIV serostatus, history of other sexually transmitted infections, smoking, oral contraceptive use condom use, use of medroxyprogesterone, age at first intercourse, and the number of years since first intercourse did not predict increasing risk of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). In logistic regression, both number of partners > or = 5 (p = 0.003) and a finding of any squamous intraepithelial lesion in a Pap test repeated at colposcopy (p = 0.025) were significant predictors of CIN 2,3, though the predictive value of the model was weak (R = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

Only 15% of teens with abnormal cytology have high-grade CIN. Colposcopy may be most appropriate for those with multiple partners and squamous intraepithelial lesions on repeat Pap.

Follow-up care of women with an abnormal cytology in a low-resource setting

STUDY PURPOSE

We ascertained the follow-up care after an abnormal cytology (Papanicolaou) screening in the San Marti;n region of Perú and assessed the status of women who had not received adequate care.

BASIC PROCEDURES

We identified women with an abnormal cytology and assessed their medical records, laboratory registries, death certificates and interviewed them at home. Re-screening, diagnosis and treatment were offered.

MAIN FINDINGS

Only 46 (25%) of the 183 women identified received appropriate follow-up care. At re-screening 31 (34%) had a normal result, 9 (10%) were diagnosed with CIN1 and 50 (56%) had CIN2 or worse.

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS

In this setting, follow-up care after an abnormal cytology was very poor and could explain the lack of impact of cervical cancer screening. Women with an abnormal cytology constitute a high-risk group that should be a priority for health services.

An update on human papillomavirus infection and Papanicolaou smears in adolescents

Human papillomavirus infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in young women, and may lead to clinical sequelae such as anogenital condylomata and cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Recent data on the biology and natural history of HPV infection in adolescents will have important implications for the development of adolescent-specific protocols for cervical cancer screening and for follow-up of abnormal cytology.

Improving rates of cervical cancer screening and Pap smear follow-up for low-income women with limited health literacy

Adult literacy is an independent and important predictor of health behavior. In 1993, the National Adult Literacy Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education demonstrated that one-third of the U.S. population over age 16 (44 million adults) is functionally illiterate. Several studies link low health literacy to self-reported poor health status, poor health behavior, and inadequate knowledge about disease. Epidemiologic studies of cancer prevention have not detected strong racial and ethnic disparities in disease detection and progression, resulting in an emphasis on behavioral and intervention-based research. Low literacy presents a wide-reaching barrier to disease prevention that, unlike race/ethnicity, is potentially modifiable. Here, we explore the relationship between health literacy and health behaviors related to cervical cancer prevention in an effort to address concerns about low rates of screening and follow-up in vulnerable populations. Our goal is to improve our understanding of the health impact of low literacy among urban women and to inspire interventions that will promote disease prevention behaviors in this population, particularly with regard to cervical cancer.

Adolescents with ASCUS: are they a high risk group?

Population demographics, risk behaviors, and compliance rates for the management of an ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) diagnosis are not well studied in the adolescent population. From June 1994 to December 1996, 1,175 Papanicalou (pap) smears were performed in an urban adolescent clinic on patients age 12 to 18. Of these, 124 (10.5%) were diagnosed with ASCUS or ASCUS with a qualifying statement. A retrospective chart review (n=83) and telephone interview was performed on patients with ASCUS. Ninety-nine percent of enrollees were African American. Comparisons were made between those patients with normal pap smears and those with ASCUS. No statistically significant difference existed pertaining to age at pap smear, age at menarche, age at first coitus, and education level. A positive association was found in the ASCUS group for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases (P < 0.001), number of sexual partners (P < 0.0007), and pregnancy (P < 0.001). Of the 80% of patients who had an ASCUS diagnosis and were referred for colposcopy (n = 62), only 61% attended their appointment (n = 38). Thirty-nine percent of these patients were aware of an abnormal diagnosis after colposcopy. For those that attended colposcopy, 56% were accompanied by a parent. For those who were not compliant with attendance, none cited parental consent for the procedure as a barrier to obtaining treatment. Adolescent females in an urban setting with multiple sexual partners, history of sexually transmitted diseases, and prior pregnancy are at a greater risk for ASCUS on cervicovaginal smear when compared to their age-matched controls. In addition, the adolescent compliance rate for colposcopy is low. We, therefore, recommend that these adolescent females be observed diligently.