An audit of Colposcopy referrals from a GU/STD clinic
2008

Audit of Colposcopy Referrals from a GU/STD Clinic

Sample size: 2637 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Catherine O'Connor, Helena Myles, Mortimer B O'Connor, Josephine Clancy, Ailis Ryan, Mary Traynor, Dolores McGrath, Kitty O'Sullivan

Primary Institution: The Dept of GU/STD Medicine, Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, Ireland

Hypothesis

Is there a significant rate of high-grade lesions in patients referred to colposcopy from a GU/STD clinic?

Conclusion

2% of patients screened had high-grade lesions, with 37% of these being under 25 years old.

Supporting Evidence

  • 221 patients referred to colposcopy were audited.
  • 1%, 3%, and 5% had severe, moderate, and mild dyskaryosis, respectively.
  • 37% of high-grade lesions were found in patients under 25 years.
  • 13% of patients with high-grade lesions had Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • 44% of patients with high-grade lesions had HPV.

Takeaway

The study looked at women referred for cervical cancer screening and found that some young women had serious issues, but many were not at risk.

Methodology

Retrospective analysis of GU/STD clinic files, hospital files, and computer records for biopsy reports over four years.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in patient selection and reporting.

Limitations

The study may not represent all populations as it was conducted in a specific clinic.

Participant Demographics

53% of the patients referred to colposcopy were under 25 years old.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

0.62,-0.70

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-0500-1-24

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