Efficacy of treatment of inflammatory cytologic abnormalities detected by papanicolaou smears: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of metronidazole versus no treatment for the empiric treatment of inflammatory cytologic changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with inflammatory changes on Pap smear were serially assigned to receive no treatment or metronidazole by one of three regimens 2 grams orally as a single dose, 500 milligrams orally twice daily for 7 days, or 5 grams (in gel form) vaginally twice daily for 5 days. Smears were repeated 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: The repeat smear was normal in 47 of 63 patients treated with a single dose, 40 of 62 patients treated orally for 7 days, 14 of 21 patients treated with vaginal gel, and 29 of 49 of the control group. Chi-square analysis showed no statistical significance between groups. CONCLUSION: There is no statistically significant difference in the resolution of cytologic inflammatory changes among the study groups. Empiric metronidazole treatment has no benefit.