title: Clinical Factors Associated with Specimen Adequacy for Conventional Cervical Cytology in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study clinical factors related to adequacy of transformation zone (TZ) components in cervical smears.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical and Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports from Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand during January to December 2015 were collected. Demographic data was reviewed by attending physicians and impact of clinical factors onTZ adequacy was primary outcome. A total of 3,251 smears were reviewed. Finally, 2,098 smears met The inclusion criteria and enrolled into this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average age and bodyweight of participants in this study were 43.0 years and 60.0 kg, respectively. Ninety seven percent of smears were classified as satisfactory for evaluation according to the Bethesda system 2001. Adequacy (group A) and inadequacy (group B) of TZ were equal in percentage (50.9/46.0). Prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology was 4.4%. Percentages of abnormal Pap smears in group A and B were 7.3 and 1.4, respectively (p<0.001). Factors associated with increased adequacy of TZ were old-age (≥ 50 yr), nulliparity, within 3-months postpartum, history of TZ inadequacy and abnormal smears. Sexually transmitted disease (STD), hormonal usage, previous cryotherapy and smears collected by staff were associated with inadequacy of TZ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collection of cervical specimens should be carefully performed. STD history, hormonal usage and previous cryotherapy are risk factors for TZ inadequate specimens.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thailand E-mail : sakolmanusook@hotmail.com.
authors: Akegapot
authors: A
authors: Anantaworapot
authors: Sakol
authors: S
authors: Manusook
authors: Chamnan
authors: C
authors: Tanprasertkul
authors: Supapen
authors: S
authors: Lertvutivivat
authors: Athita
authors: A
authors: Chanthasenanont
authors: Kornkarn
authors: K
authors: Bhamarapravatana
authors: Komsun
authors: K
authors: Suwannarurk
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000592:standards*; D011379:Prognosis; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*; D013785:Thailand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears