title: [Anal intraepithelial neoplasia: application of a diagnostic protocol in risk patients using anal cytology].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anal intraepithelial neoplasia is a precursor condition of squamous anal carcinoma. The groups at risk of this lesion are patients with anogenital condylomata, cervical dysplasia, human immunodeficiency virus infection and, in general, patients with HPV infection. The aim of this study was to analyse the results of a diagnostics protocol of Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in high risk population using anal cytology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The protocol is based on a visit in the outpatient department, clinical interview, physical examination and anal cytology evaluated by Bethesda criteria. The cross-sectional observational study was designed to study the anal smear results and their relationship with risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 64 patients were included from January 2005 to December 2006. In the overall series, 25 patients have been diagnosed with abnormal anal cytology: 9 atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 15 low-grade and 1 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. There were no significant associations between abnormal cytology results and the presence of anal condyloma (p = 0.22). Neither were there statistical associations found with high risk-HPV infection (p = 0.84), HIV infection (p = 0.98) or tobacco use (p = 0.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our diagnostic protocol of anal intraepithelial neoplasia revealed 25% of patients with pre-invasive lesions of squamous anal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Unidad de Cirugía Colorrectal, Hospital Universitario del Mar, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Membrilla-Fernández
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parés
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alameda
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Courtier
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gil
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vallecillo
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fusté
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pera
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grande
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult