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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Deborah Stocken
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Objectives: To develop an evidence based protocol for the follow up of women with low grade cervical abnormalities for whom treatment is not immediately indicated. Design: Population outcome study. Setting: Colposcopy clinic of an inner city teaching hospital. Participants: 566 women with low grade cytological abnormalities who were not treated at a first visit to the colposcopy clinic, followed up for a total of 881 years. Main outcome measures: Resolution of abnormalities, persistence of disease, and treated disease. Results: Abnormalities resolved in 306 (54.1%) women, whereas 138 (24.4%) had persistent disease and 122 (21.5%) were subsequently treated. Colposcopic opinion, smear test results, age, smoking history, and number of pregnancies were all significantly related to outcome. Logistic regression analysis produced a model that correctly identified 70% of women whose abnormalities resolved. Only 23 of 295 women (7.8%) with a normal cervix on colposcopy and a smear without dyskaryosis at a first visit were treated by the end of the observation period. Conclusions: Women referred with low grade cytological abnormalities who have a normal cervix on colposcopy and a negative or borderline repeat smear test result may be discharged from the colposcopy clinic. We propose a follow up protocol that could safely avoid unnecessary visits to a clinic.
Author(s): Teale GR, Moffitt DD, Mann CH, Luesley DM
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: British Medical Journal
Year: 2000
Volume: 320
Pages: 1693-1696
ISSN (print): 0959-535X
ISSN (electronic): 1756-1833
Publisher: BMJ Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.320.7251.1693
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.320.7251.1693
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