Cyto-colpo-histological Study in Sexual Workers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the false-negative, false-positive, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) rates of Pap smears and colposcopy in sexual workers.


METHODS
Four hundred thirty-eight prostitutes were given a gynecological examination, Pap smear, and colposcopic examination of the cervix. A cervical biopsy was taken under colposcopic guidance when there was abnormal epithelium.


RESULTS
There were 81 premalignant and malignant lesions. Twenty-two Pap smear reports were abnormal: 17 CIN1, four CIN2, and one CIN3. Pap smears had a 14.4% false-negative rate, 0.9% false-positive rate, sensitivity 22.2%, specificity 98.8%, NPV 84.4%, and PPV 81.8%. Eighty-four biopsies were taken from abnormal colposcopic findings, and 96.4% were reported as premalignant and malignant lesions. Colposcopy had a 0.8% false-positive rate, sensitivity 100%, specificity 99.2%, NPV 100%, and PPV 96.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Pap smear had a low-sensitivity and colposcopy had a high sensitivity and specificity.
Núñez
J T
JT
*Manuel Noriega Trigo Hospital. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; School of Medicine, University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela †Department of Pathology, Chiquinquira Hospital, Maracaibo, Venezuela ‡Center of Psycological Investigations, Rafael Urdaneta University, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Delgado
M
M
Pino
G
G
Girón
H
H
Bolet
B
B