title: Behavioral and clinical factors associated with self-reported abnormal Papanicolaou tests in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some evidence suggests that women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for the development of cervical cancer; however, it is unclear how this increase risk is conferred. We aimed to assess the factors related to abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) tests in women with RA to determine whether they are similar to those reported for the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire was mailed to 503 female patients from a longitudinal RA cohort. The survey included items on sociodemographic, behavioral, and gynecological factors. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models examined the association of self-reported abnormal Pap results with a number of potential behavioral risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaire response rate was 57.5% (n=289). Median age was 61 years and 97% had ≥1 Pap test previously. Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported a previous abnormal Pap result. In the multivariable logistic model adjusted for age, number of lifetime sexual partners, age at menarche, birth control use, and history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), ever using birth control (odds ratio [OR] 2.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-4.52) and previous STD (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.70-6.70) were associated with an increased risk of abnormal Pap result. Compared with either the state or national population, a greater proportion of the respondents was older, married, and previous smokers, and completed postsecondary education and obtained a Pap test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this cross-sectional study, self-reported abnormal Pap results were associated with use of birth control and history of STD in RA patients.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Victoria G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Gillet
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Shadick
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Weinblatt
authors.forename: Christine K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Iannaccone
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Seoyoung C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents