Prevention of cervical cancer in women with ASCUS in the Brazilian Unified National Health System: cost-effectiveness of the molecular biology method for HPV detection / Prevenção de câncer de colo uterino em pacientes com ASCUS no Sistema Único de Saúde: custo-efetividade de método de biologia molecular para HPV

This study aimed to assess the performance of PCR as a means of detecting HPV 16/18 compared to the single probe-based PCR for detecting high-risk HPV, and evaluate these methods for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in follow-ups for ASCUS testing. It also compares the costs of cytology, PCR methods, colposcopy and biopsy in the Brazilian Unified National Health System. Of the 81 patients with ASCUS, 41 (50.6%) tested positive for HPV 16/18 in PCR testing and 47 (58.02%) tested positive for high-risk HPV with single probe-based PCR testing. The negative predictive value was 93.75% for HPV 16/18 PCR and 100% for single probe-based PCR in cases that progressed to high-grade CIN. The annual costs of patient referral were the following: R$2,144.52 for referral of patients with ASCUS cytology for colposcopy; R$6,307.44 for referral of patients with ASCUS cytology and PCR positive for HPV 16/18 or colposcopy; R$3,691.80 for referral of patients with ASCUS cytology with single probe-based PCR positive for high-risk HPV. Therefore, cost per user can be reduced by performing single probe-based PCR for high-risk HPV on patients with ASCUS.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o desempenho do PCR para detecção de HPV 16/18 versus PCR sonda única para a detecção de HPV de alto risco, avaliar estes métodos na detecção de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) no seguimento de ASCUS, e comparar os custos de citologia, métodos de PCR, colposcopia e biópsia no Sistema Único de Saúde. Das 81 pacientes com ASCUS, 41 (50,6%) foram positivas para o HPV 16/18 PCR, e 47 (58,02%) foram positivas para PCR sonda única para HPV de alto risco. O valor preditivo negativo foi de 93,75% para HPV 16/18 PCR e 100% para PCR sonda única em casos que evoluíram para NIC de alto grau. Os custos anuais encaminhando todas as pacientes com ASCUS para a colposcopia, encaminhando à colposcopia as pacientes com ASCUS e PCR positivo para HPV 16/18 e encaminhando à colposcopia aquelas pacientes com ASCUS e PCR sonda única para HPV de alto risco positivo foram de R$2.144,52, R$6.307,44 e R$3.691,80, respectivamente. Considerando eventual redução dos custos para utilização em grandes quantidades, este método poderia ser realizado em ASCUS.

Cost--effectiveness of pap smear in Kermanshah, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of pre invasive and invasive cervical lesions and also cost- effectiveness of Pap smears in Kermanshah, Iran (2004-2007). METHODS: A descriptive, cross sectional study was performed between March 2004-March 2007 with all cytological smears analyzed according to the Bethesda II system. Efficacy was estimated as the ratio of HSIL and invasive carcinomas detected to all Pap smears. Data were analyzed with SPSS software and mean+/-SD for cost in each age. RESULTS: 148,472 smears were analyzed of which 99.7 % were negative, only 0.3% having cytological abnormalities. ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL and carcinoma positive rates were 205.4, 73.4, 21.6 and 5.4 per 100,000 Pap smears respectively. The incidence of HSIL and carcinoma in total was 26.9 per 100,000 women. Before age 35 there were no such lesions so that the effectiveness of Pap smear before age 35 was zero. The cost for one smear was 5 Euros and the cost for detection per HSIL or carcinoma was 18,559 Euros. The mean age of women for HSIL was 52.0+/-10.7 and for carcinoma 48.1+/-1.81 years. CONCLUSIONS: Since no HSIL or carcinomas were detected before age 35, and since for changing one LSIL to HSIL or carcinoma should take more than 5 years , the results of this study suggest that Pap smears before 35 years old is not effective and we suggest commencement of Pap smear in Iran from age 30.

Cobertura de la Citología de Cuello Uterino y Factores Relacionados en Colombia, 2005 / Pap test coverage and related factors in Colombia, 2005

Objetivo: Describir la cobertura de la citología en los últimos tres años y los principales factores relacionados, en la población de mujeres colombianas entre 25 y 69 años de edad. Materiales y métodos: Se analizó la información de la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud 2005. Se calculó la variable "práctica de la citología en los últimos tres años". La descripción de la cobertura y factores asociados se hizo a través de porcentajes simples y se realizó un análisis multivariado utilizando un modelo de regresión logística incondicional. Resultados: La cobertura de citología reciente en mujeres entre 25 y 69 años de edad para Colombia fue de 76,5 por ciento. Las condiciones asociadas con la ausencia de toma reciente fueron ausencia de afiliación, afiliación al régimen subsidiado, no haber tenido hijos vivos ni una consulta de salud en el último año; las condiciones asociadas con la toma reciente fueron el nivel de riqueza, tener entre 35 y 44 años, tener un nivel educativo universitario o superior y estar en embarazo. Conclusión: Los resultados indican la necesidad de esfuerzos por mejorar las coberturas en la población más pobre, no afiliada y afiliada al régimen subsidiado; la alta mortalidad a pesar de la buena cobertura general sugiere la necesidad de esfuerzos en la oportunidad del diagnóstico definitivo y el manejo de lesiones.

Objective: Describing the use of the Papanicolau (Pap) test and the main factors related to using screening amongst Colombian women aged 25 to 69 years. Methods: Information was taken from the 2005 National Health and Demography Survey. The variable "pap test during the last three years" was calculated; coverage and related factors were described using simple percentages and multivariate analysis using conditional logistic regression. Results: Recent Pap test coverage in Colombian women aged 25 to 69 years was 76.5 percent. Factors associated with the absence of recent exam included non-affiliation to the health system, affiliation to the susbsidiary regimen, having no live-born children and no recent medical consultation. Factors associated with recent coverage were income level, being aged 35 to 44, a higher educational level and being pregnant. Conclusions: Results indicated the need for efforts at increasing coverage amongst the poorer population as well as amongst women from the subsidiary regimen and those having no affiliation. Persistence of high mortality in spite of acceptable coverage suggested the need for more efforts regarding definitive diagnosis and opportune treatment.

Custo-efetividade no diagnóstico precoce do câncer de colo uterino no Brasil / Cost-effectiviness of uterine cervical neoplasms screening in Brazil

O objetivo do estudo foi estimar o custo-efetividade do Teste de Papanicolaou versus as novas tecnologias de rastreamento do câncer cérvio-uterino. Foi utilizado um modelo analítico de decisão tendo como unidade de desfecho os casos detectados de câncer ou lesões precursoras de alta malignidade. A perspectiva adotada no estudo foi a do sistema de saúde, utilizando os valores propostos pela tabela da AMB, 2004. O teste de Papanicolaou revelou-se a opção mais custo-efetiva, com um custo por caso detectado de R$ 14.586,86, seguida da teste para HPV (R$ 47.805,30). As estimativas dos preços para o SUS foram: captura híbrida para HPV, R$ 19,12; associação do exame Papanicolaou com teste para HPV, R$ 11,82; citologia em meio líquido, R$ 8,22

Citología de base líquida: revisión de la historia y los estudios al respecto / Liquid based-cytology: review of the history and the studies on the matter

George Nicolas Papanicolaou introdujo la citología diagnóstica de frotis vaginal en 1940, técnica de tamizaje de bajo costo y de aplicación masiva. Donde se implementó, ha permitido aumentar la detección del cáncer cérvico uterino en etapas precoces y de lesiones premalignas, reduciendo significativamente la mortalidad por esta causa. El frotis tecnificado, de alto costo, en teoría resuelve los cinco problemas de la convencional: 1) captura de la totalidad de la muestra, 2) fijación deficiente, 3) distribución aleatoria de células anómalas, 4) existencia de elementos perturbadores, 5) calidad del frotis. Estudios en grandes poblaciones no evidencian diferencias significativas en su capacidad diagnóstica comparados con la citología convencional que permitan sugerir su uso en el sistema público de salud.

Design and methods of the evaluation of an HPV-based cervical cancer screening strategy in Mexico: The Morelos HPV Study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and methodology of the Morelos HPV Study. The main objective of this study is to examine the use of two different methods for obtaining HPV DNA specimens, self-collected vaginal and clinician-collected cervical, to detect pre-invasive cervical lesions and cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted within the regular population-based framework of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) cervical cancer screening program in Morelos. A total of 7,868 women were recruited between May and October 1999 and are representative of the population of women attending cervical cancer screening services at the 23 IMSS clinics in the state of Morelos in 1999. Women were provided with a detailed description of the study before signing an informed consent form. Basic data were obtained from all participants using a standard IMSS registration form. During the initial recruitment visit, a randomly selected subsample of 1,069 participants were interviewed to collect additional information about cervical cancer risk factors, acceptability of the HPV and Pap tests, as well as patient costs. Before the pelvic exam, participants were asked to provide a self-collected vaginal specimen for HPV testing. All participants underwent a pelvic examination that involved collecting a cervical sample for the Pap smear and a clinician-collected HPV specimen. Data were evaluated from 7,732 women with complete information for the three tests. The 1,147 women who received at least one positive result (Pap, self- and/or clinician-HPV tests) were invited to return for a colposcopic examination. During colposcopy, biopsies were taken as appropriate, to histologically confirm a diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 or invasive cancer. A total of 1,015 women attended colposcopy, and 101 women received a histologically-confirmed CIN 2/3 or cervical cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The initial enrollment activities of the Morelos HPV study are the basis for a prevalent case-control study and a prospective cohort study that will investigate the natural history of HPV infections and determine if an HPV-based screening strategy is a safe and cost-effective alternative to Pap screening.

Simplificaçäo e reduçäo de custos na técnica de coloraçäo de Papanicolau / Simplification and costs reducing in Papanicolau staining technique

Säo relatadas as metodologias originais de Papanicolaou e a utilizada pelos autores da técnica de coloraçäo de esfregaços cérvicos-vaginais, onde säo expostos os procedimentos de preparaçäo dos corantes e desenvolvimento da coloraçäo, avaliados em seus aspectos práticos e custos envolvidos