Randomized controlled trial evaluating rapid pre-screen of cervical cytology specimens.
A randomized controlled trial of 75,355 cervical cytology specimens was performed comparing rapid pre-screen with no pre-screen. While the percentage of cases receiving a final report of definite high-grade abnormality was higher in the no pre-screen arm (no pre-screen = 0.70%, pre-screen = 0.65%), the percentage of cases receiving a final report of possible or definite high-grade abnormality was essentially identical in the two arms of the trial (no pre-screen = 1.22%, pre-screen = 1.21%). In the randomized trial, one extra cytology report of definite high-grade abnormality was made for every 12,568 slides pre-screened. This level of benefit was reduced by about half when rapid pre-screen was adopted as a routine laboratory practice.
Saville
M
M
Victorian Cytology Service, Carlton South, Vic., Australia. msaville@vcs.org.au
Mitchell
H
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods