Clinical Parameters Predicting Unsatisfactory Cervicovaginal Cytology in Conventional Smears
Clinical Parameters Predicting Unsatisfactory Cervicovaginal Cytology in Conventional Smears
According the terminology of Bethesda 2001, the unsatisfactory cervical cytology can be
 categorized into specimen rejected, or specimen processed and examined, but unsatisfactory
 for evaluation of epithelial abnormality. Most of the unsatisfactory cervical cytology was
 due to scanty epithelial cells, which was defined by less than an estimated 8,000 to 12,000
 well-visualized squamous cells for conventional smears. Follow-up of unsatisfactory smear
 found an increased rate of cervical preinvasive and invasive lesions. Thus, an unsatisfactory
 smear deserves careful follow-up and studies. Although the Bethesda system allows criteria
 modification in cases of hysterectomy, pelvic irradiation therapy, or chemotherapy, no
 studies investigated the clinical factors related to the incidence of unsatisfactory smear.
 Thus, the investigators designed this trial to study the clinical factors relating to
 unsatisfactory cervicovaginal smear.The list of patients who received Papanicolaou smear
 between March 2006 and August 2006 in our hospital will be obtained from the Pathological
 Department first. Then the investigators will review the medical records from HIS system and
 pathologic files of these patients. On estimation, 7,437 cases will be enrolled for analysis.
 Clinical parameters for analysis include: age, gravidity, parity, abortion, menopause,
 location of Pap smear, history of pelvic malignancy, pelvic irradiation, cervical conization,
 hysterectomy; at pregnancy; three months postpartum; vaginal bleeding, vaginal abnormal
 discharge, intrauterine device, and cervical polyp found during pelvic examinations. Patients
 who missed any of above data will be excluded for analysis. The investigators will use
 univariate and multivariate analysis for data processing and statistic analysis to find out
 the relationship between clinical parameters and unsatisfactory cervicovaginal Pap smears.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  A cohort of consecutive patients who received conventional Pap smear between March
 2006 and August 2006 in Taichung Veterans General Hospital

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  nil