What are patient preferences for follow-up after low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?
OBJECTIVE
To determine preference for follow-up after low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among women presenting to a colposcopy clinic and ascertain basic knowledge about the human papillomavirus (HPV).


METHODS
We surveyed 220 women presenting for care to the colposcopy clinic at Magee Women's Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, between January and May 2007. The results of completed surveys were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis.


RESULTS
Two hundred two surveys were complete and available for analysis. Forty percent of women knew that HPV is associated with warts, abnormal Papanicolaon (Pap) smears, and cervical cancer. Sixty-seven percent of women stated they would choose Pap smear screening at 6 and 12 months for follow-up after a diagnosis of CIN 1, compared with 19% of women who chose HPV testing at 12 months for the same diagnosis (p < .001). Sixty-four percent of women stated that they would be more likely to follow up for a Pap smear at 6 and 12 months after a diagnosis of CIN 1, compared with 27% who stated that they would be more likely to follow up for an HPV test at 12 months (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Women's preferences for serial Pap testing at 6 and 12 months rather than HPV test at 12 months may reflect the perception that they may be more likely to comply with and remember about follow-up testing if done in shorter visit intervals. The option of either treatment plan should be discussed with women and preferences assessed.
Patel
Minita
M
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee Womens Hospital and Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. mpatel@harthosp.org
Guido
Richard
R
Chang
Judy C
JC
Meyn
Leslie A
LA
D000328:Adult; D003127:Colposcopy / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009819:Office Visits; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis*