Screening for cervical carcinoma using visual inspection with acetic acid.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the performance of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) as a screening test for early detection of cervical carcinoma in the Dakahlia Governorate in Egypt.


METHODS
Diluted acetic acid (5%) was applied to the cervix during routine gynecologic examination. Women with positive results were referred for colposcopy. Those with negative results were referred for colposcopy only when they had clinical indications.


RESULTS
Among the 5,000 women who were screened using VIA, 409 were referred for colposcopy. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was diagnosed in 151 (60%) of the 253 women with positive screening results and in 4 of the 156 women with negative screening results. There were 39 women with high-grade and 116 with low-grade CIN. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of the VIA screening test was 97%. Its positive predictive value was 60% for all grades of CIN and 90% for high-grade CIN.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual inspection with acetic acid, although associated with a relatively high rate of false-positive results, is a valuable test for the screening of cervical carcinoma.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mansoura University, Egypt. elsaidhady@yahoo.co.uk
E-S
ES
Abdel-Hady
M
M
Emam
A
A
Al-Gohary
M
M
Hassan
M K
MK
Farag
M
M
Abo-Elkheir
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*
D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D019342:Acetic Acid