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Follow-up of abnormal or inadequate cervical smears using two guidance systems: RCT on effectiveness
- Source :
-
Preventive Medicine . Nov/Dec2005, Vol. 41 Issue 5/6, p809-814. 6p. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Background.: To improve follow-up compliance after an initial inadequate or abnormal cervical smear, two follow-up guidance systems were tested for effectiveness. A comprehensive system (cytopathology laboratory monitored the follow-up of all abnormal and inadequate smears) was compared to a selective system (monitoring was left to the smear taker; laboratory acted as a safety net). Methods.: In an RCT on all family practices (N = 171) in the catchment areas of two cytopathology laboratories (Nijmegen region, The Netherlands, 1998–2000), practices were allocated at random to one of the follow-up guidance systems. All women included were registered at the practices, invited to the national screening program and had abnormal or inadequate smears. Measurements comprised of (1) follow-up compliance at baseline and 1 year after the initial smear and (2) diagnostic outcome of the follow-up smear. Results.: During the study period, 132 practices sent their cervical smears to the laboratories. The comprehensive system covered 1226 women, the selective 1034. In the comprehensive system, the increase in follow-up compliance for initial inadequate and slightly abnormal smears was significantly higher (8.9%) than in the selective one, which implied an extra detection of eleven, more serious, abnormalities per 1000 women. Conclusion.: The comprehensive system was more effective than the selective and is suitable for use on a larger scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *LABORATORIES
*SAFETY
*GENERAL practitioners
*DIAGNOSIS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00917435
- Volume :
- 41
- Issue :
- 5/6
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Preventive Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19167750
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2005.08.002