Correlation of Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid (VIA) and Colposcopy Findings With Papsmear in Evaluation of Unhealthy Cervix

Abstract

Aim and objective: To correlate the findings of an unhealthy cervix in Visual inspection acetic acid (VIA), colposcopy and pap smear. Materials and methods: Present study is a hospital based study on women of age 21-65 years with abnormal symptoms and clinical findings of an unhealthy cervix and was carried out in Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Ethical clearance was obtained for this study from the institution. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of Pap smear were found to be 34% and 94%. Simultaneously, colposcopy has high sensitivity and low specificity, i.e., 92% and 28%, respectively. On the other hand, the sensitivity and specificity of VIA and VILI are comparable, i.e., 64% and 68% and 42% and 40%, respectively. Although it shows a low sensitivity, Pap smear shows a high positive predictive value, i.e., 85% compared to colposcopy (56.1%) and visual inspection methods (55%). Colposcopy alone has the highest diagnostic accuracy (65%) over all other screening methods performed alone or in combination. Conclusion: We should combine Pap smear, a screening test, and colposcopic examination, which is used in suspected cases. In case of any abnormal findings, a colposcopic directed biopsy should be taken. Combined methods always lead to an increase in the sensitivity and hence maximizes the detection rate.