Analysis of the performance of 100% rapid review using an average time of 1 and 2 minutes according to the quality of cervical cytology specimens.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance of the 100% rapid review method carried out in a mean time of either 1 or 2 minutes according to cytological final result, and to assess whether the presence of obscuring factors in cervical smear samples affects the frequency of false-negative results.


METHODS
A total of 5,235 smears classified as negative (93.0%) or unsatisfactory (2.1%) at routine screening were submitted to 100% rapid review using mean times of 1 and 2 minutes.


RESULTS
Of the 5,235 smears submitted to 1-minute rapid review, 88 were considered suspect and of these, 45 were confirmed as abnormal in the cytological final result. When the time used was 2 minutes, 67 smears were considered suspect, 44 of which were confirmed as abnormal. Sensitivity and specificity were similar in the 1- and 2-minute reviews. In smears in which samples were satisfactory and had no obscuring factors, sensitivity and specificity were 64.2% and 98.9% and 61.5% and 99.5% for the 1- and 2-minute reviews, respectively. In comparison, in smears in which the sample was satisfactory for analysis but partially obscured (50-75%), sensitivity and specificity were 64.7% and 99.9% and 70.6% and 99.8% for the 1- and 2-minute reviews, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The method of rapid review of 100% showed no difference in the detection of false-negative results using the time of 1 or 2 minutes. The quality of the sample did not influence the detection of false-negatives.
Manrique
E J C
EJ
Rômulo Rocha Clinical Analysis Center, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
Souza
N L A
NL
Tavares
S B N
SB
Albuquerque
Z B P
ZB
Zeferino
L C
LC
Amaral
R G
RG
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D013997:Time Factors; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*