HPV DNA Testing and Mobile Colposcopy for Cervical Precancer Screening in HIV Positive Women: A Comparison Between Two Settings in Ghana and Recommendation for Screening.

INTRODUCTION: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) have higher prevalence and persistence rates of high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) infection with a six-fold increased risk of cervical cancer. Thus, more frequent screening is recommended for WLHIV. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate and compare the prevalence of hr-HPV infection and abnormal findings on mobile colposcopy in two cohorts of WLHIV following cervical screening in rural and urban settings in Ghana. METHODS: Through the mPharma 10 000 Women Initiative, WLHIV were screened via concurrent hr-HPV DNA testing (MA-6000; Sansure Biotech Inc., Hunan, China) and visual inspection (Enhanced Visual Assessment [EVA] mobile colposcope; MobileODT, Tel Aviv, Israel) by trained nurses. The women were screened while undergoing routine outpatient reviews at HIV clinics held at the Catholic Hospital, Battor (rural setting) and Tema General Hospital (urban setting), both in Ghana. RESULTS: Two-hundred and fifty-eight WLHIV were included in the analysis (rural, n = 132; urban, n = 126). The two groups were comparable in terms of age, time since HIV diagnosis, and duration of treatment for HIV. The hr-HPV prevalence rates were 53.7% (95% CI, 45.3-62.3) and 48.4% (95% CI, 39.7-57.1) among WLHIV screened in the rural vs urban settings (p-value = .388). Abnormal colposcopy findings were found in 8.5% (95% CI, 5.1-11.9) of the WLHIV, with no significant difference in detection rates between the two settings (p-value = .221). Three (13.6%) of 22 women who showed abnormal colposcopic findings underwent loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), leaving 19/22 women from both rural and urban areas with pending treatment/follow-up results, which demonstrates the difficulty faced in reaching early diagnosis and treatment, regardless of their area of residence. Histopathology following LEEP revealed CIN III in 2 WLHIV (urban setting, both hr-HPV negative) and CIN I in 1 woman in the rural setting (hr-HPV positive). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of hr-HPV among WLHIV in both rural and urban settings in this study in Ghana. Concurrent HPV DNA testing with a visual inspection method (colposcopy/VIA) reduces loss to follow-up compared to performing HPV DNA testing as a standalone test and recalling hr-HPV positive women for follow up with a visual inspection method. Concurrent HPV DNA testing and a visual inspection method may also pick up precancerous cervical lesions that are hr-HPV negative and may be missed if HPV DNA testing is performed alone.

Strategies for primary HPV test-based cervical cancer screening programme in resource-limited settings in India: Results from a quasi-experimental pragmatic implementation trial.

BACKGROUND: In order for low and middle income countries (LMIC) to transition to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test based cervical cancer screening, a greater understanding of how to implement these evidence based interventions (EBI) among vulnerable populations is needed. This paper documents outcomes of an implementation research on HPV screening among women from tribal, rural, urban slum settings in India. METHODS: A mixed-method, pragmatic, quasi-experimental trial design was used. HPV screening on self-collected cervical samples was offered to women aged 30-60 years. Implementation strategies were 1) Assessment of contextual factors using both qualitative and quantitative methods like key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGDs), pre-post population sample surveys, capacity assessment of participating departments 2) enhancing provider capacity through training workshops, access to HPV testing facility, colposcopy, thermal ablation/cryotherapy at the primary health care centers 3) community engagement, counselling for self-sampling and triage process by frontline health care workers (HCWs). Outcomes were assessed using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework. RESULTS: Screening rate in 8 months' of study was 31.0%, 26.7%, 32.9%, prevalence of oncogenic HPV was 12.1%, 3.1%, 5.5%, compliance to triage was 53.6%, 45.5%, 84.6% in tribal, urban slum, rural sites respectively. Pre-cancer among triage compliant HPV positive women was 13.6% in tribal, 4% in rural and 0% among urban slum women. Unique challenges faced in the tribal setting led to programme adaptations like increasing honoraria of community health workers for late-evening work and recalling HPV positive women for colposcopy by nurses, thermal ablation by gynaecologist at the outreach camp site. CONCLUSIONS: Self-collection of samples combined with HCW led community engagement activities, flexible triage processes and strengthening of health system showed an acceptable screening rate and better compliance to triage, highlighting the importance of identifying the barriers and developing strategies suitable for the setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2021/09/036130.

[The timeline of the screening and treatment strategy of intraepithelial neoplasia of the uterine cervix adopted in Morocco]. / La chronologie d'évolution des modes de dépistage et de traitement des néoplasies intra épithéliales du col utérin adoptés au Maroc.

In Morocco, the purpose of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (PNPCC) is to decrease the incidence, mortality, and morbidity attributable to cervical cancer (CC), including the general objective which is to improve women´s care by setting up an organized system for screening, early diagnosis and treatment of this disease, and as operational objectives an: 1) achievement of at least 30% of the annual coverage rate by cervical cancer (CC) screening; 2) achievement of at least 80% of the rate of participation in CC screening per screening cycle; 3) achievement of 100% of the treatment rate for precancerous lesions screened within the framework of the program. CC screening concerns all women aged 30 to 49 years old. Women who have already had CC and pregnant women from the 8th week of amenorrhea until the 6th week postpartum are excluded from the program. The screening test currently used is the naked eye inspection with acetic acid or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), which will be followed by a colposcopy exam and biopsy if a precancerous lesion is confirmed. The VIA is carried out at the level of urban and rural health centers, by a trained health professional. Knowing that the pap-smear test was widely used before. Thermo coagulation, also called: cold coagulation, is currently the main treatment for intraepithelial lesions (LIE) that are eligible for this treatment, and finally the national program has introduced anti-HPV vaccination within the national vaccination program (NPI).

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of colposcopy in the detection of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions among women with transformation zone type 3.

BACKGROUND: Inaccurate colposcopy diagnosis may lead to inappropriate management and increase the incidence of cervical cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of colposcopy in the detection of histologic cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) in women with transformation zone type 3 (TZ3). METHODS: Records from 764 patients with TZ3 who underwent colposcopy-directed biopsy and/or endocervical curettage in Putuo Hospital China between February 2020 and March 2023 were retrospectively collected. Colposcopy was carried out based on 2011 International Federation of Cervical Pathology and Colposcopy (IFCPC) and Colposcopy nomenclature. The diagnostic performance of colposcopy for identifying CIN2 + was evaluated compared with biopsies. The Kappa and McNemar tests were used to perform statistical analyses. RESULTS: Among the study population, 11.0% had pathologic CIN2+. The relative sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of colposcopy for histologic CIN2 + were 51.2%, 96.5%, 64.2% and 94.1%, respectively. The senior colposcopists (80.6%) had a higher colposcopic accuracy to diagnose histologic CIN2 + than junior colposcopists (68.6%). In subgroup analyses, age group ≥ 60 years (70.3%) showed lowest diagnostic accuracy when compared with age groups of < 45 years (84.4%) and 45-59 years (74.9%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest an increased risk of diagnostic inaccuracy of colposcopy in identifying CIN2 + in those ≥ 60 years of age with TZ3, and the accuracy of colposcopy is required to be further improved.

The impact of loss to follow-up in the Dutch organised HPV-based cervical cancer screening programme.

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) within cervical screening programmes can result in missed clinically relevant lesions, potentially reducing programme effectiveness. To examine the health impact of losing women during the screening process, we determined the proportion of women LTFU per step of the Dutch hrHPV-based screening programme. We then determined the probability of being LTFU by age, screening history and sampling method (self- or clinician-sampled) using logistic regression analysis. Finally, we estimated the number of missed CIN2+/3+ lesions per LTFU moment by using the CIN-risk in women compliant with follow-up. Data from the Dutch nationwide pathology databank (Palga) was used. Women eligible for screening in 2017 and 2018 were included (N = 840,428). For clinician collected (CC) samples, the highest proportion LTFU was found following 'referral advice for colposcopy' (5.5% after indirect referral; 3.8% after direct referral). For self-sampling, the highest proportions LTFU were found following the advice for repeat cytology (13.6%) and after referral advice for colposcopy (8.2% after indirect referral; 4.3% after direct referral). Self-sampling users and women with no screening history had a higher LTFU-risk (OR: 3.87, CI: 3.55-4.23; OR: 1.39, CI: 1.20-1.61) compared to women that used CC sampling and women that have been screened before, respectively. Of all women LTFU in 2017/18, the total number of potentially missed CIN2+ was 844 (21% of women LTFU). Most lesions were missed after 'direct referral for colposcopy' (N = 462, 11.5% of women LTFU). So, this indicates a gap between the screening programme and clinical care which requires further attention, by improving monitoring of patients after referral.

Knowledge of cytology results affects the performance of colposcopy: a crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether knowledge of cytology affects the colposcopist's diagnostic accuracy in the identification of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and worse (≥ CIN2). METHOD: In this cross-over study, healthcare professionals interpreted colposcopy images from 80 patient cases with known histological diagnoses. For each case, 2 images taken with a colposcope were provided (native and after acetic acid application). Inclusion criteria consisted of women with a transformation zone type 1 or 2, who had both a cytological and histological diagnosis. Cases were distributed across two online surveys, one including and one omitting the cytology. A wash-out period of six weeks between surveys was implemented. Colposcopists were asked to give their diagnosis for each case as < CIN2 or ≥ CIN2 on both assessments. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the two interpretations. RESULTS: Knowledge of cytology significantly improved the sensitivity when interpreting colposcopic images, from 51.1% [95%CI: 39.3 to 62.8] to 63.7% [95%CI: 52.1 to 73.9] and improved the specificity from 63.5% [95%CI: 52.3 to 73.5] to 76.6% [95%CI: 67.2 to 84.0]. Sensitivity was higher by 38.6% when a high-grade cytology (ASC-H, HSIL, AGC) was communicated compared to a low-grade cytology (inflammation, ASC-US, LSIL). Specificity was higher by 31% when a low-grade cytology was communicated compared to a high-grade. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that knowledge of cytology increases sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of ≥ CIN2 lesions at colposcopy. Association between cytology and histology may have contributed to the findings.

Recommendations for Use of p16/Ki67 Dual Stain for Management of Individuals Testing Positive for Human Papillomavirus.

OBJECTIVES: The Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee developed recommendations for dual stain (DS) testing with CINtec PLUS Cytology for use of DS to triage high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive results. METHODS: Risks of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse were calculated according to DS results among individuals testing HPV-positive using data from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California cohort and the STudying Risk to Improve DisparitiES study in Mississippi. Management recommendations were based on clinical action thresholds developed for the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines. Resource usage metrics were calculated to support decision-making. Risk estimates in relation to clinical action thresholds were reviewed and used as the basis for draft recommendations. After an open comment period, recommendations were finalized and ratified through a vote by the Consensus Stakeholder Group. RESULTS: For triage of positive HPV results from screening with primary HPV testing (with or without genotyping) or with cytology cotesting, colposcopy is recommended for individuals testing DS-positive. One-year follow-up with HPV-based testing is recommended for individuals testing DS-negative, except for HPV16- and HPV18-positive results, or high-grade cytology in cotesting, where immediate colposcopy referral is recommended. Risk estimates were similar between the Kaiser Permanente Northern California and STudying Risk to Improve DisparitiES populations. In general, resource usage metrics suggest that compared with cytology, DS requires fewer colposcopies and detects cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse earlier. CONCLUSIONS: Dual stain testing with CINtec PLUS Cytology is acceptable for triage of HPV-positive test results. Risk estimates are portable across different populations.

Performance of Different Follow-Up Strategies and Genotype-Based Recurrence Risk After Treatment of Cervical High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the performance of different follow-up strategies after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3, including human papillomavirus (HPV) detection, cytology, or colposcopy, as well as their combinations. Additionally, we compared the influence of the persistence of HPV 16/18 versus that of other high-risk HPV genotypes (HR-HPV) in the recurrence risk. METHODS: Retrospective register-based study, including women who had an excision of the transformation zone for CIN2 or CIN3 at our institution, between January 2011 and December 2022. The outcome assessed was histopathological recurrence/persistence of CIN2 or worse. RESULTS: Of the 721 women included, 6.8% (49/721) had recurrence/persistence. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the HPV test were 97.4%, 80%, 22.3%, and 99.8%, respectively, whereas for cotesting (HR-HPV and cytology), 86.8%, 90.1%, 34.4%, and 99.1%, respectively. The referral rates for colposcopy were 24.3% and 14.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of colposcopy was low (40.0%).Women who were initially positive for non-16/18 genotypes at baseline who became HPV16/18 positive during follow-up, had a statistically significant increased risk of CIN2 or worse, compared with those who tested positive only for other HR-HPV genotypes during both stages (hazard ratio = 4.98; 95% CI = 1.66-14.91). CONCLUSIONS: Human papillomavirus testing is the best strategy for follow-up after treatment of cervical HSIL. The addition of cytology triage decreases by more than 40% the referrals for colposcopy, without significantly missing cases of recurrence/persistence. Human papillomavirus 16/18 in the follow-up, regardless of being previously positive, is associated with higher risk of recurrence/persistence of HSIL.

Assessing colposcopy competencies in medically underserved communities: a multi-center study in China.

BACKGROUND: Colposcopy plays an essential role in diagnosing cervical lesions and directing biopsy; however, there are few studies of the capabilities of colposcopists in medically underserved communities in China. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing colposcopists' competencies in medically underserved communities of China. METHODS: Colposcopists in medically underserved communities across China were considered eligible to participate. Assessments involved presenting participants with 20 cases, each consisting of several images and various indications. Participants were asked to determine transformation zone (TZ) type, colposcopic diagnoses and to decide whether biopsy was necessary. Participants are categorized according to the number of colposcopic examinations, i.e., above or below 50 per annum. RESULTS: There were 214 participants in this study. TZ determination accuracy was 0.47 (95% CI 0.45,0.49). Accuracy for colposcopic diagnosis was 0.53 (95% CI 0.51,0.55). Decision to perform biopsies was 0.73 accurate (95% CI 0.71,0.74). Participants had 0.61 (95% CI 0.59,0.64) sensitivity and a 0.80 (95% CI 0.79,0.82) specificity for detecting high-grade lesions. Colposcopists who performed more than 50 cases were more accurate than those performed fewer across all indicators, with a higher sensitivity (0.66 vs. 0.57, p = 0.001) for detecting high-grade lesions. CONCLUSIONS: In medically underserved communities of China, colposcopists appear to perform poorly at TZ identification, colposcopic diagnosis, and when deciding to biopsy. Colposcopists who undertake more than 50 colposcopies each year performed better than those who perform fewer. Therefore, colposcopic practice does improve through case exposure although there is an urgent need for further pre-professional and clinical training.

Genotype, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and type-specific cervical intraepithelial neoplasia distributions in hrHPV+ cases referred to colposcopy: A multicenter study of Chinese mainland women.

To investigate age and type-specific prevalences of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in hrHPV+ women referred to colposcopy. This is a retrospective, multicenter study. Participants were women referred to one of seven colposcopy clinics in China after testing positive for hrHPV. Patient characteristics, hrHPV genotyping, colposcopic impressions, and histological diagnoses were abstracted from electronic records. Main outcomes were age-related type-specific prevalences associated with hrHPV and CIN, and colposcopic accuracy. Among 4419 hrHPV+ women referred to colposcopy, HPV 16, 52, and 58 were the most common genotypes. HPV 16 prevalence was 39.96%, decreasing from 42.57% in the youngest group to 30.81% in the eldest group. CIN3+ prevalence was 15.00% and increased with age. As lesion severity increases, HPV16 prevalence increased while the prevalence of HPV 52 and 58 decreased. No age-based trend was identified with HPV16 prevalence among CIN2+, and HPV16-related CIN2+ was less common in women aged 60 and above (44.26%) compared to those younger than 60 years (59.61%). Colposcopy was 0.73 sensitive at detecting CIN2+ (95% confidence interval[CI]: 0.71, 0.75), with higher sensitivity (0.77) observed in HPV16+ women (95% CI: 0.74, 0.80) compared to HPV16- women (0.68, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.71). Distributions of hrHPV genotypes, CIN, and type-specific CIN in Chinese mainland hrHPV+ women referred to colposcopy were investigated for the first time. Distributions were found to be age-dependent and colposcopic performance appears related to HPV genotypes. These findings could be used to improve the management of women referred to colposcopy.

Out-reach Colposcopy Clinics and HPV Self-Sampling Decreases Loss to Follow up in a Community based Cervical Cancer Screening Programme.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce HPV self-sampling and out-reach colposcopy clinic as interventions to improve the follow-up of HPV positive women in a community based cervical cancer screening programme. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted during October 2017 to August 2019 and 2977 women underwent cervical cancer screening using CareHPV test. Follow up colposcopy for HPV positive women were conducted at the rural health center and alternatively as out-reach clinics in their own villages and default rates were compared. HPV positive women were followed up at one-year. They were given an option of either having a follow-up HPV test performed by a health care worker (HCW) or by self-sampling. Compliance to follow up in these two modalities were compared. A validated questionnaire was given to women who had given an HPV self-sample to assess their awareness about HPV and cervical cancer. RESULTS: During our initial round of cervical cancer screening using HPV as a primary screening modality, our HPV screen positive rate was 7.05% (210 out of 2977 women screened).  Our colposcopy rates following an initial invitation at the rural health centre was only 28.5%. Following this, we initiated out-reach colposcopy clinics at their own villages for HPV positive women and this increased colposcopy rates from 28.5% to 45.2%. The participation rate at one-year follow-up was increased from 40.5% to 60% by the introduction of self-sampling as a follow up option and 16.2% of women who were initially positive remained HPV positive at 12-14 months follow up. All women who were offered the option of self-sampling preferred it over a HCW collected sample. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that self-sampling could also be used effectively in the follow up of HPV positive women in the community. Outreach colposcopy clinics in their own villages enabled better follow up of HPV positive women.

Clinical Performance of Self-collected Specimen HPV-DNA vs Clinician- collected Specimen HPV-mRNA to Detect High-risk HPV and High-grade Cervical Lesions and Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Self- collected specimens to detect high-risk (hr) HPV and high-grade cervical lesions (CIN2+) has been introduced aiming to increase cervical cancer screening coverage. The performance of self- collected specimen  compared to clinician collected specimen is one major concern. This study aimed to compare self-sampling HPV-DNA and clinician-sampling HPV-mRNA to detect hr-HPV and high-grade cervical lesions. METHODS: Women with abnormal cervical cytology and/ or positive hr-HPV who attended the colposcopy clinics in 10 tertiary hospitals in Bangkok were enrolled. Self-collected specimens were evaluated for  HPV DNA using Cobas® 4800 HPV test prior to the clinician-collected specimens which were tested for HPV mRNA with APTIMA® HPV Assay. Subsequent colposcopy with biopsy was performed. The detection rates of hr-HPV from both HPV tests and their performance to detect high-grade lesions pathology were compared. RESULTS: Data from 497 women's specimens were analyzed. Both samplings had 86.8% concordance rate in detecting hr-HPV (Kappa 0.670; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.599-0.746, P value < 0.001). The sensitivity (95% CI) of self-collected specimen HPV DNA and clinician- collected specimen HPV-mRNA to detect high-grade lesions were 91.8% (85.4%-96.0%) and 90.2% (83.6%-94.9%) respectively. The corresponding negative predictive values (95% CI) were 91.9% (85.6%-96.0%) and 91.7% (86.0%-95.7%) respectively. CONCLUSION: HPV DNA testing from self-collected specimen to detect HR-HPV demonstrates high concordance with HPV mRNA testing from clinician-collected specimen. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of both tests to detect high-grade lesions are comparable.

Attitudes About the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Patients With and Without Cervical Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study are to examine the perception of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among those with and without a history of cervical dysplasia and to examine perceptions of the vaccine for their children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited to complete a survey about the HPV vaccine for both themselves and their children. Patients in a colposcopy clinic with a history of abnormal cervical cytology and patients in a benign gynecology clinic without a history of abnormal cervical cytology were recruited. Participants' medical records were reviewed. Demographics and survey answers were described, and Fisher exact test was used to compare the groups. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three patients participated: 73 in colposcopy clinic and 110 in benign clinic. The majority self-identified as Black (74% colposcopy, 71% benign, p = .588) and reported an income less than $39,000 a year (77% colposcopy, 65% benign, p = .089). Fifty-six percent in benign clinic agreed the HPV vaccine is a good way to protect oneself from disease compared with 48% in colposcopy clinic ( p = .022). When examining results based on cytology, fewer patients in the highest-grade cytology group agreed the vaccine was effective (30% high-grade, 48% normal, 57% low-grade, p = .027) or a good way to protect themselves from disease (29% high-grade, 53% normal, 62% low-grade, p = .002). There was otherwise no statistically significant difference between the groups on questions regarding self or child vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: In a majority Black, low-income population, patients without a history of abnormal cervical cytology have more favorable perceptions of the HPV vaccine's effectiveness in preventing disease. Those with the highest-grade cytology had more negative perceptions of the vaccine's effectiveness and protectability.

Defining the Longitudinal Risk of CIN 3+ for

OBJECTIVE: To determine the baseline and cumulative risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)3 and invasive cervical cancer in participants referred to colposcopy with high-grade cytology and

Agreement on Lesion Presence and Location at Colposcopy.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE: The reproducibility and sensitivity of image-based colposcopy is low, but agreement on lesion presence and location remains to be explored. Here, we investigate the interobserver agreement on lesions on colposcopic images by evaluating and comparing marked lesions on digitized colposcopic images between colposcopists. METHODS: Five colposcopists reviewed images from 268 colposcopic examinations. Cases were selected based on histologic diagnosis, i.e., normal/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)1 ( n = 50), CIN2 ( n = 50), CIN3 ( n = 100), adenocarcinoma in situ ( n = 53), and cancer ( n = 15). We obtained digitized time-series images every 7-10 seconds from before acetic acid application to 2 minutes after application. Colposcopists were instructed to digitally annotate all areas with acetowhitening or suspect of lesions. To estimate the agreement on lesion presence and location, we assessed the proportion of images with annotations and the proportion of images with overlapping annotated area by at least 4 (4+) colposcopists, respectively. RESULTS: We included images from 241 examinations (1 image from each) with adequate annotations. The proportion with a least 1 lesion annotated by 4+ colposcopists increased by severity of histologic diagnosis. Among the CIN3 cases, 84% had at least 1 lesion annotated by 4+ colposcopists, whereas 54% of normal/CIN1 cases had a lesion annotated. Notably, the proportion was 70% for adenocarcinoma in situ and 71% for cancer. Regarding lesion location, there was no linear association with severity of histologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Despite that 80% of the CIN2 and CIN3 cases were annotated by 4+ colposcopists, we did not find increasing agreement on lesion location with histology severity. This underlines the subjective nature of colposcopy.

Colposcopy-A Valuable Diagnostic Tool for Pregnant Women With Unexplained Vaginal Bleeding.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the diagnostic value of colposcopy in a large cohort of pregnant women with unexplained vaginal bleeding during the second or third trimester. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included women who underwent colposcopy due to vaginal bleeding in the second and third trimesters during 2012-2022 at a tertiary care hospital. Demographics, obstetric data, bleeding characteristics, colposcopy results, cervical cytology testing, a sonogram directed at the placenta, and birth details were collected. RESULTS: In total, 364 women were included. The mean maternal age was 29.7 years and the mean gestational age at examination was 30.7 weeks. Vaginal bleeding was mild in 80.8%, moderate in 14.6%, and severe in 4.7%. Only 3.3% had been vaccinated against human papilloma virus and 25.5% underwent a Pap smear study before pregnancy. Colposcopy diagnosed the bleeding source in 83 women (22.8%). The colposcopic examination revealed vaginal bleeding due to contact bleeding from ectropion in 46 (12.6%), a decidual/cervical polyp in 37 (10.2%), acetowhite epithelium in 12 (3.3%), herpes genetalis in 2 (0.5%), and bleeding from vaginal varices in 2 (0.5%). Of those who were recommended a follow-up examination after the postpartum period, only 49.1% completed such.Among women with compared to without postcoital bleeding ( N = 72), the risk of abnormal colposcopic findings was higher (24 [33.3%] vs 54 [19.7%], p = .017) and the rate of abnormal Pap smear was higher (7 [13.2%] vs 7 [3.2%], p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Colposcopy can be a valuable diagnostic tool for women with unexplained vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester.

Testing for viral DNA integration among HPV-positive women to detect cervical precancer: An observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) integration is a crucial genetic step in cervical carcinogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an HPV integration test for the triage of HPV-positive women. DESIGN: An observational cohort study. SETTING: A cervical cancer screening programme in China. POPULATION: 1393 HPV-positive women aged 25-65 years undergoing routine cervical cancer screening and HPV integration testing with 1-year follow-up. METHODS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value between HPV integration and cytology were compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or more severe (CIN3+). RESULTS: Among 1393 HPV-positive patients, 138 (9.9% [8.3-11.5%]) were HPV integration test positive compared with 537 who had abnormal cervical cytology (38.5% [36.0-41.1%]). Compared with cytology, HPV integration exhibited higher specificity (94.5% [93.3-95.8%] versus 63.8% [61.2-66.4%]) and equivalent sensitivity (70.5% [61.4-79.7%] versus 70.5% [61.4-79.7%]) for detection of CIN3+. HPV integration-negative women accounted for 90.1% (1255/1393) of the total population and had a low immediate CIN3+ risk (2.2%). At 1-year follow-up, the progression rate in the HPV integration-positive women was higher than in the HPV integration-negative women (12.0% versus 2.1%, odds ratio 5.6, 95% CI, 2.6-11.9). In 10 conservatively managed integration-negative CIN2 patients, all showed spontaneous regression and seven showed HPV clearance after 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The HPV integration test may be a precise risk stratification tool for HPV-positive women and could avoid excessive use of invasive biopsies.

Chatbot-interfaced and cognitive-affective barrier-driven messages to improve colposcopy adherence after abnormal Pap test results in underserved urban women: A feasibility pilot study.

Challenges in ensuring adherence to colposcopy and follow-up recommendations, particularly within underserved communities, hinder the delivery of appropriate care. Informed by our established evidence-based program, we sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a novel cognitive-affective intervention delivered through a Chatbot interface, aimed to enhance colposcopy adherence within an urban inner-city population. We developed the evidence-based intervention, CervixChat, to address comprehension of colposcopy's purpose, human papillomavirus (HPV) understanding, cancer-related fatalistic beliefs, procedural concerns, and disease progression, offered in both English and Spanish. Females aged 21-65, with colposcopy appointments at an urban OBGYN clinic, were invited to participate. Enrolled patients experienced real-time counseling messages tailored via a Chatbot-driven barriers assessment, dispatched via text one week before their scheduled colposcopy. Cognitive-affective measures were assessed at baseline and through a 1-month follow-up. Participants also engaged in a brief post-intervention satisfaction survey and interview to capture their acceptance and feedback on the intervention. The primary endpoints encompassed study adherence (CervixChat response rate and follow-up survey rate) and self-evaluated intervention acceptability, with predefined feasibility benchmarks of at least 70% adherence and 80% satisfaction. Among 48 eligible women scheduled for colposcopies, 27 (56.3%) agreed, consented, and completed baseline assessments. Participants had an average age of 34 years, with 14 (52%) identifying as non-Hispanic White. Of these, 21 (77.8%) engaged with the CervixChat intervention via mobile phones. Impressively, 26 participants (96.3%) attended their diagnostic colposcopy within the specified timeframe. Moreover, 22 (81.5%) completed the follow-up survey and a brief interview. Barriers assessment revealed notable encodings in the Affect and Values/Goals domains, highlighting concerns and understanding around HPV, as well as its impact on body image and sexual matters. Persistent and relatively high intrusive thoughts and lowered risk perceptions regarding cervical cancer were reported over time, unaffected by the intervention. Post-intervention evaluations documented high satisfaction and perceived usefulness, with recommendations for incorporating additional practical and educational content. Our findings underscore the robust satisfaction and practicality of the CervixChat intervention among a diverse underserved population. Moving forward, our next step involves evaluating the intervention's efficacy through a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) design. Enhanced by personalized health coaching, we aim to further bolster women's risk perception, address intrusive thoughts, and streamline resources to effectively improve colposcopy screening attendance.

Our study focused on helping underserved women, especially from ethnic minorities, with abnormal Pap test results. We aimed to break down barriers preventing them from seeking necessary follow-up care. Using Chatbot-facilitated text messages, we reached out to offer timely support. Starting with a warm text, we asked participants to share their thoughts on their abnormal Pap results. We then sent targeted messages addressing concerns about colposcopy, cervical health, emotions, appointment importance, and coping strategies. Participants engaged actively, finding value in the messages for information and encouragement. Their responses highlighted concerns about the test and emotional challenges. We also identified the need to address worries about human papillomavirus (HPV), body image, and discomfort during the test. In conclusion, our study showcased the feasibility and acceptability of using Chatbot messages to provide tailored support after abnormal Pap tests. By addressing unique concerns, we aimed to alleviate distress and enhance adherence to follow-up care for better cervical cancer screening outcomes.

Cost-effectiveness of primary human papillomavirus triage approaches among vaccinated women in Norway: A model-based analysis.

As Norway considers revising triage approaches following their first adolescent cohort with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination entering the cervical cancer screening program, we analyzed the health impact and cost-effectiveness of alternative primary HPV triage approaches for women initiating cervical cancer screening in 2023. We used a multimodeling approach that captured HPV transmission and cervical carcinogenesis to evaluate the health benefits, harms and cost-effectiveness of alternative extended genotyping and age-based triage strategies under five-yearly primary HPV testing (including the status-quo screening strategy in Norway) for women born in 1998 (ie, age 25 in 2023). We examined 35 strategies that varied alternative groupings of high-risk HPV genotypes ("high-risk" genotypes; "medium-risk" genotypes or "intermediate-risk" genotypes), number and types of HPV included in each group, management of HPV-positive women to direct colposcopy or active surveillance, wait time for re-testing and age at which the HPV triage algorithm switched from less to more intensive strategies. Given the range of benchmarks for severity-specific cost-effectiveness thresholds in Norway, we found that the preferred strategy for vaccinated women aged 25 years in 2023 involved an age-based switch from a less to more intensive follow-up algorithm at age 30 or 35 years with HPV-16/18 genotypes in the "high-risk" group. The two potentially cost-effective strategies could reduce the number of colposcopies compared to current guidelines and simultaneously improve health benefits. Using age to guide primary HPV triage, paired with selective HPV genotype and follow-up time for re-testing, could improve both the cervical cancer program effectiveness and efficiency.