Publication:

Correlation of diagnostic efficacy of unhealthy cervix by cytology, colposcopy and histopathology in women of rural areas

Background The objective was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of pap smear and colposcopy and to study the socio demographic parameters of women with unhealthy cervix.

Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted from August 2011 – August 2013 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Pap smear was performed by the conventional method and colposcopy was done for all 200 sexually active women who came with complaints of discharge per vagina, inter menstrual or post coital bleeding. Colposcopy results were analysed. Final correlation of pap smear and colposcopy were based on histopathology.

Results There were 200 samples that were suitable for statistical analysis. The sensitivity of colposcopy was 79.37%, specificity 81.02%, positive predictive value 65.79%, negative predictive value 89.52% respectively and accuracy was 80.5%. Pap smear had a sensitivity of 25.4%, specificity of 99.27%, positive predictive value of 94.12%, negative predictive value of 74.32%, and accuracy of 76.0% respectively.

Conclusions Pap smear had a poorer sensitivity compared to Colposcopy but a better specificity than colposcopy. Hence it may be better to utilise both tests as they complement each other in screening of premalignant lesions of cervix.