Reported April 7,
2003
Pap Smears Work Better
PARIS (Ivanhoe Newswire) --
Researchers in Paris found new
cervical smear tests are
unreliable and should not
replace conventional tests, or
Pap smears.
French researchers studied
828 women referred to a hospital
due to abnormalities on their
previous tests and 1,757 women
visiting a health care facility
for routine tests. Each woman
had a conventional cervical
smear exam. The remaining
material was then tested using
two new methods called monolayer
cytology and human
papillomavirus testing.
Researchers say these tests are
replacing conventional smear
tests in several countries,
including the United States.
Results of the study show
conventional tests are more
often satisfactory than the
newer tests. Conventional tests
yielded a 91 percent
satisfactory rate compared to an
87 percent rate with monolayer
cytology tests. Conventional
tests also consistently had
better sensitivity and
specificity than monolayer
cytology. Results also show
human papillomavirus testing
performed no better than
conventional tests. These
findings apply to clinical
readings, optimized
interpretations, low- and
high-grade lesions, and low and
high incidence of abnormalities.
Investigators conclude
monolayer testing is less
reliable and more expensive than
conventional tests. They add
human papillomavirus testing
needs to be further evaluated.
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SOURCE: British Medical
Journal, 2003;326:733-736