[National results of cervix cytology diagnosis in 1992; efficacy of screening could be improved].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse all cervical smears performed in 1992 to determine the number of tests per age category and to evaluate the efficacy of the test.


METHODS
Descriptive, retrospective.


METHODS
The Netherlands.


METHODS
Of every cervix smear registered in the Pathological Anatomical National Automised Archives (PALGA) the quality, signs of inflammation, squamous or columnar epithelial abnormalities and other abnormalities were determined (KOPAC code).


RESULTS
In 1992, 784,046 cervix smears were registered, of which 755,844 were KOPAC-coded. Half of the smears came from women younger than 40 years. There was a high frequency of squamous cell abnormalities (II% Pap 2, 2.5% Pap 3a, 0.5% Pap 3b or worse). An accelerated second smear (after 3 months or 1 year) was performed in 14% of the women; 9% underwent > or = 2 cervical smears within 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Related to the frequency of newly diagnosed cervix cancer (700 per year), the efficacy of cytology could be improved by limiting the number of smears and strictly applying the assessment criteria to diminish the number of accelerated second smears. Furthermore, second smears should be subject to strict management, determined by evaluation studies.
St. Clara Ziekenhuis, afd. Klinische Pathologie, Rotterdam.
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RW
Giard
J
J
Hermans
H
H
Doornewaard
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Landelijke resultaten van cervixcytologische diagnostiek in 1992; de screening kan doelmatiger.