Pap smear and colposcopy results among women attending Al-Yarmoke Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern, and early detection through screening methods plays a pivotal role in reducing its incidence and mortality. Among the various screening tools, Pap smear and colposcopy are effective diagnostic measures for identifying precancerous and cancerous lesions in the cervix.
Objectives: To compare Pap smear results with those of subsequent colposcopy findings.
Methods: This cross-section study was conducted at Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital between 1/9/2023 and 1/3/2024. One hundred women attended Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and underwent Pap smear and colposcopy examinations. Demographic data: Age, age at marriage, parity, or oral contraceptive pills. Relevant information, including cytological findings and histopathological findings, was extracted from medical records. Colposcopy assessments, including any identified abnormalities or lesions, were recorded.  Statistical analyses will make a comparison relationship between Pap smear and colposcopy outcomes, and the collected data were coded and entered into SPSS 20.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 by IBM) (SPSS for Windows, Rel. 20.0.2016, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).  
Results: The outcomes of the visual examination of acetic acid in conjunction with histological examination, with CIN2 as the reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were 100%, 60.00%, 20.00%, and 100%, respectively, resulting in an accuracy of 63.00%. The differences resulted in pap smear compared to the values obtained from visual inspection with acetic acid; precisely, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were measured at 100.00%, 40.00%, 14.00%, and 100.00%, respectively, resulting in an overall accuracy of 45.00%.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the significance of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and Pap smear in detecting cervical cancer is paramount. This diagnostic approach proves valuable in identifying existing cases and facilitating early intervention, as it enables the detection of pre-cancerous conditions before they progress to full-fledged cancer.