Effect of testing for human papillomavirus as a triage during screening for cervical cancer: observational before and after study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of introducing testing for human papillomavirus combined with liquid based cytology in women with low grade cytological abnormalities.


METHODS
Observational before and after study.


METHODS
Three cervical screening laboratories, England.


METHODS
5654 women aged 20-64 with low grade cytological abnormalities found at routine cervical screening in a pilot; 5254 similar women in the period before the pilot.


METHODS
Human papillomavirus testing combined with liquid based cytology in the management of women with borderline or mildly dyskaryotic cervical smear results compared with conventional smear tests, with immediate referral to colposcopy of women positive for human papillomavirus.


RESULTS
57.9% (3187/5506) of women tested in the pilot were positive for human papillomavirus. The rate of repeat smears fell by 74%, but the rate of referral to colposcopy for low grade cytological abnormalities more than doubled. The estimated negative predictive value of human papillomavirus testing varied between 93.8% and 99.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of testing for human papillomavirus in women with low grade cytological abnormalities resulted in a reduction in the rate of repeat smears, but an increase in rates of referral to colposcopy.
Moss
Sue
S
Cancer Screening Evaluation Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5NG. sue.moss@icr.ac.uk
Gray
Alastair
A
Legood
Rosa
R
Vessey
Martin
M
Patnick
Julietta
J
Kitchener
Henry
H
D000328:Adult; D003127:Colposcopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019233:Retreatment; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*